Automating SharePoint Management with Python: Creating Folders Made Easy

SharePoint Online is a powerful tool for collaboration and document management, but sometimes, the repetitive task of creating folders in SharePoint libraries can be a time-consuming chore. In this post, I'll guide you through automating the process of creating folders in SharePoint Online using Python.

The Power of SharePoint Automation

As organizations grow, so does the volume of data they handle in SharePoint. Efficiently managing this data is crucial for productivity. Automation is the key to streamlining repetitive tasks, and it ensures consistency across your SharePoint environment.

One common task that often demands automation is the creation of folders within document libraries. Manually creating folders, especially when dealing with a large number of them, can be both tedious and prone to errors. That's where Python scripting comes into play.

This Python script that connects to your SharePoint Online site and automates the process of creating folders in the Shared Documents library. This script leverages the power of the Microsoft Graph API, enabling you to interact with SharePoint programmatically.

How It Works

Here's a breakdown of how the script operates:

Authentication: The script begins by authenticating itself using Azure AD app registration credentials. This ensures secure access to your SharePoint site.

Locating Your SharePoint Site: To use the script, you'll need to specify the Site ID of your SharePoint site. Obtaining the Site ID is straightforward and can be done via your SharePoint settings.

Creating a Folder: Simply specify the desired folder name (e.g., "TESTING"). The script then sends a request to SharePoint to create the folder within the Shared Documents library.

Error Handling: The script includes robust error-handling logic to provide informative feedback should anything go awry during the folder creation process.

import requests
import json

# Microsoft Graph API endpoint for SharePoint (using the Site ID)
site_id = "site_id"
graph_url = f"https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/sites/{site_id}/drive/root:/"

# Your Azure AD app registration details
client_id = "your-client-id"
client_secret = "your-client-secret"
tenant_id = "your-tenant-id"

# Get an access token using client credentials flow
token_url = f"https://login.microsoftonline.com/{tenant_id}/oauth2/v2.0/token"
token_data = {
    "grant_type": "client_credentials",
    "scope": "https://graph.microsoft.com/.default",
    "client_id": client_id,
    "client_secret": client_secret,
}
token_response = requests.post(token_url, data=token_data)
access_token = token_response.json().get("access_token")

# Create a folder named "New Folder" in the Shared Documents library
folder_name = "New Folder"
folder_data = {
    "name": folder_name,
    "folder": {},
    "@microsoft.graph.conflictBehavior": "rename",
}

create_folder_url = f"{graph_url}/{folder_name}"
headers = {
    "Authorization": f"Bearer {access_token}",
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
}

create_folder_response = requests.put(create_folder_url, headers=headers, data=json.dumps(folder_data))

if create_folder_response.status_code == 201:
    print(f"Folder '{folder_name}' created successfully.")
else:
    print(f"Failed to create folder. Status code: {create_folder_response.status_code}")
    print("Response content:")
    print(create_folder_response.text)
        

Why This Matters

Automating folder creation in SharePoint brings about significant benefits. It saves time, reduces the risk of errors, and ensures consistency in your document management processes. Whether you're setting up project folders, organizing documents, or managing a knowledge base, this Python script can be a valuable addition to your toolkit.

How to Get Started

Here are the steps to start automating folder creation in SharePoint Online with Python:

Set up an Azure AD app registration and grant it the necessary permissions in SharePoint.

Replace the placeholders in the script (e.g., your-client-id, your-client-secret, your-tenant-id, and the Site ID) with your actual credentials and SharePoint site information.

Observation: This is obviously an educational approach for this script. When rolling it into production, ALWAYS use this kind of data behind environment variables.

Execute the Python script.

That's it! You'll now have the capability to effortlessly create folders in SharePoint Online.