What Is SharePoint Embedded? A Simple Guide
Imagine I’m at a coffee shop, overhearing developers complain about learning yet another Microsoft tool—SharePoint Embedded. I get it; new tech can feel overwhelming. But after exploring it myself, I think it’s pretty useful. Let’s break it down in a clear, straightforward way, like we’re chatting over coffee.
You: Okay, I keep hearing about SharePoint Embedded, but what the heck is it? Another SharePoint Online clone?
Me: Nah, it’s not a clone. Think of SharePoint Embedded as a way for developers to plug document management right into their own apps. It’s API-based, lives in your Microsoft 365 tenant, and keeps things secure. Plus, it plays nice with Microsoft Purview for compliance and lets you collaborate on Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files in real time with Office Web Apps. It’s less about end users and more about giving your custom app some serious document-handling superpowers.
You: So, how’s it different from SharePoint Online? I’m already using that for my team’s files.
Me: Good question! SharePoint Online is your go-to for team sites, intranets, and shared document libraries—stuff your whole team uses daily. SharePoint Embedded is for developers who want to embed that document management into a custom app, like a CRM or a client portal. It’s leaner, more focused, and doesn’t come with the full SharePoint Online interface. Think of it like a custom-built engine versus a whole car.
You: Wait, is anyone actually using this thing? Or is it just Microsoft’s latest shiny toy?
Me: Oh, it’s being used, alright. Microsoft’s own apps like Loop and Designer are built on it. Even files you upload to Copilot Agents? Stored in SharePoint Embedded. It’s been around for almost two years, Generally Available since May 2024. So yeah, it’s not some beta experiment—it’s already doing heavy lifting.
You: Okay, but why would I need it if I’ve got SharePoint Online? Sounds like overlap to me.
Me: I get the skepticism. If you’re just sharing files with your team, SharePoint Online’s got you covered. But if you’re building an app and need to add secure, compliant document storage without coding it from scratch, SharePoint Embedded’s your jam. It’s about integrating that functionality seamlessly into your app’s interface, not forcing users to bounce to a separate SharePoint site.
You: Hmm, sounds useful. Got any examples of when I’d use it?
Me: Totally! Imagine you’re building a project management app for a healthcare company. Your users need to upload patient forms and reports directly in the app, but those files have to be secure, trackable, and compliant with strict regulations like HIPAA. Coding your own storage system would be a total headache. With SharePoint Embedded, you could integrate document management right into your app. Users could upload and collaborate on docs in real time, and Purview would keep everything compliant. Your app stays sleek, your users stay happy, and you avoid a compliance nightmare.
You: Sounds cool, but is it a pain to set up? I’m not exactly thrilled about wrestling with APIs.
Me: I hear ya—Microsoft’s docs can feel like a treasure hunt sometimes. But the APIs for SharePoint Embedded are pretty developer-friendly, especially if you’re already in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It’s not plug-and-play simple, but it’s not like you’re writing a novel in binary either. If you’ve got a decent dev team, you’ll be fine. Plus, knowing it’s powering tools like Loop means it’s battle-tested.
SharePoint Embedded is a handy tool for developers who want to add secure, compliant file management to their apps. It’s not about replacing SharePoint Online- it’s about making your app better. Got a project where this could help? Let me know what you think!
References
Overview of SharePoint Embedded: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/dev/embedded/overview
Announcing SharePoint Embedded General Availability: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/spblog/announcing-sharepoint-embedded-general-availability/4147960
SharePoint Embedded in Intranet from the Trenches: https://intranetfromthetrenches.substack.com/t/sharepoint-embedded
Introduction to SharePoint Embedded:
Conociendo SharePoint Embedded: