External data connections allow you to leverage modern forms to interact with data found in external, non-SharePoint sources.
NOTE: currently, the functionality is only available in the Microsoft 365 app version.
Through external data connections you can create new items directly in a variety of external applications, completely bypassing SharePoint lists. Currently, the following data sources are supported:
- Salesforce
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle
- MySql
- SOAP web services
- REST APIs
- SharePoint/OneDrive document libraries (via document generation and upload)
- FTP (via document generation and upload)
- Google Drive (via document generation and upload)
- Box (via document generation and upload)
- Dropbox (via document generation and upload)
NOTE: when uploading a document to SharePoint or FTP, you can work with the following document formats:
- Word
- Excel
- Comma-delimited values (.csv)
- Tab-delimited values (.tsv)
For all document types, with the exception of Word, submissions are appended to the existing file, if the same file name is used. Word document will overwrite the existing document of the same name, you are encouraged to provide a dynamic document name based on column values and/or functions.
The first step of defining a new connection is to specify what data columns will there be. Depending on the connection type, the columns are either defined by the connection itself, such as table column in a database or entered manually, such as in emails. In any case, you can define additional settings for each column, such as maximum/minimum value for number columns.
Once you defined the columns, you can edit the form itself. The process is similar to creating a modern SharePoint form as the same Form Designer is used. One of the main differences is inability to use SharePoint-oriented features, such as user identity in rules. All the features included in the interface are supported. Once the form is designed, it can be published and become part of the connection. You cannot use your connection until you publish a form for it.
There are 4 ways in which you can open the form for data entry
- Web part on SharePoint pages - add Infowise Form web part and specify the connection ID in the web part settings. Make sure to add the page URL to the allowed URLs in the data connection settings, otherwise the form will not load.
- Hosted on our website - when allowed in the data connection settings, you can use the external URL to access the form
- Embedded in your own pages - use a code snippet on your own pages to embed the form. Make sure to add the page URL to the allowed URLs in the data connection settings, otherwise the form will not load.
- Embedded in Microsoft Teams tabs. Make sure to add the page URL (as shown in the tab properties in Teams) to the allowed URLs in the data connection settings, otherwise the form will not load.
- Salesforce connection
- Database connection
- SOAP web service connection
- REST API connection
- Document upload connection
- Email connection
- Access control
- SharePoint connection
