How to connect to a Sharepoint folder/file in Gen2 Dataflow using a service principle

[DShallcross]

Hi, 

I have an .xlsx file in a Sharepoint folder, I want to connect to this file in a Gen2 Dataflow using a service principle connection. So I can then use the data as inside the file as I wish for ETL purposes. I am already aware of how to access a Sharepoint file using organization credentials but I don't want to do it this way as multiple users will need to run the Dataflow. How do I use a service principle to connect to the sharepoint file in Fabric?

If not possible what are the alternatives?

[v-tsaipranay · Accepted solution]

Hi @DShallcross ,
Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum.

Currently, connecting to a SharePoint file in a Gen2 Dataflow using a service principal is not supported. The SharePoint connector in Fabric only supports organizational (OAuth2) authentication.

Here are some alternative solutions you can consider:

• Move the file to OneLake or ADLS using a service like Azure Logic Apps or Power Automate authenticated via service principal, then connect to it in Gen2 Dataflow.
• Use Microsoft Graph API with a service principal to extract the SharePoint file and write it to OneLake, where Gen2 Dataflows can access it.

If service principal support for SharePoint in Gen2 Dataflows is critical for your scenario, we recommend submitting an idea on the Fabric Ideas - Microsoft Fabric Community to help prioritize this feature.

Hope this helps. Please reach out for further assistance.

Thank you.

[DShallcross]

Thank you for your response. Hopefully this feature is implemented at some point in the future, in the meantime I will explore my options.