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

July 7 - July 17 | Round 2 of the Power BI Dataviz World Championships. Don't miss your chance! Learn more

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.

Anonymous
Not applicable

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
FabCon and SQLCon Barcelona 2026

FabCon & SQLCon – Barcelona 2026

Join us in Barcelona for FabCon and SQLCon, the Fabric, Power BI, SQL, and AI community event. Save €200 with code FABCMTY200.

60 days of Data Days Carousel

Data Days 2026

Join Fabric Data Days 2026: 60 days of free live/on-demand sessions, challenges, study groups, and certification opportunities.

Power BI DataViz World Championships carousel

Power BI DataViz World Championships - June 2026

A new Power BI DataViz World Championship is coming this June! Don't miss out on submitting your entry.