Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Join the Fabric FabCon Global Hackathon—running virtually through Nov 3. Open to all skill levels. $10,000 in prizes! Register now.

Reply
GulianiG
Helper II
Helper II

SharePoint.Contents vs SharePoint.Files

Few days ago, I watched this YouTube video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XE7HEZbQiY&t=316s


Mind sharing which out of SharePoint.Files or SharePoint.Contents is more performance efficient
This video doesn't go much into the WHY
Or any reference documentation link that compares the 2

4 REPLIES 4
Syndicate_Admin
Administrator
Administrator

always Wyn Hopkins videos exceptional, 

however i found the challenge after moving from SharePoint.Files to SharePoint.Contents

 

I create the Power Query file on sub folder: SharePoint.Files and shared with other user with full access ( sub folder editable option)

due to file size big, moved to same power query on sub folder SharePoint.Contents and shared with other user with full access (  sub folder editable option)

unfortunate getting below error:

we couldn't authenticate with the credentials provided. please try again.

 

 

 

 

That could be an issue - Sharepoint.Contents requires access to the entire site while Sharepoint.Folders may work with access to only a subfolder of the site.

HI i have same issue in the powerbi desktop.

when i try to import excel file from sharepoint folder to powerbi 

in power query i convert sharepoint.files to sharepoint.contents  in PRODUCTION PUBLISHER the error Note  we couldnt authenticate with the crendtials provided. try again 

UAT PUBLISHER it was working fine 

lbendlin
Super User
Super User

I have not seen any performance difference - as long as you use the sensible filtering on SharePoint.Files very early on to avoid the enumeration of all content.

 

Helpful resources

Announcements
September Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - September 2025

Check out the September 2025 Power BI update to learn about new features.

FabCon Atlanta 2026 carousel

FabCon Atlanta 2026

Join us at FabCon Atlanta, March 16-20, for the ultimate Fabric, Power BI, AI and SQL community-led event. Save $200 with code FABCOMM.