Document & File Management · SharePoint Graph + Claude
SharePoint Graph MCP with Claude: Automate Document Management and File Sharing
The short answer
Claude works with SharePoint Graph through the Model Context Protocol, an open standard that lets Claude securely use other software. Once connected, Claude can browse SharePoint sites, query lists, find and manage files and folders, and share documents, all through natural language. Access is limited to the permissions the organisation sets, and people approve important actions.
What is SharePoint Graph?
SharePoint Graph is Microsoft Graph access for SharePoint. It gives software a single, secure Microsoft API to work with SharePoint sites, lists, document libraries, files, folders and sharing settings. Organisations use it to keep company documents organised, to build internal tools that read or update SharePoint content, and to automate routine document work. Operations teams, IT departments and developers commonly rely on it.
How Claude connects to SharePoint Graph through MCP
The Model Context Protocol, or MCP, is an open standard that acts like a universal adapter between Claude and other software. It lets Claude use a tool such as SharePoint in a controlled way, reading information and taking actions with permissions the organisation decides. Through an MCP server, Claude does not need custom code for every request.
Once connected to SharePoint Graph, Claude can typically browse sites, look through document libraries, query lists, find files and folders, and help manage sharing. A user might ask in plain English for the latest version of a contract or for all files in a project library modified this week, and Claude carries out the search through the connection.
Permissions and approvals keep people in charge. Access is granted through OAuth sign-in for users or server-to-server OAuth2 for background services, with least-privilege scopes so Claude only sees what it needs. Consequential actions such as changing permissions or sharing files externally can be set to require a person's approval before they happen.
What you can automate
Find documents faster
Staff often lose time searching for the right file across many sites and libraries. With Claude connected to SharePoint Graph, a team member can ask for a document by description, date or owner. Claude searches the relevant libraries and returns matching files with links for the user to open, saving time on routine retrieval.
Keep project lists up to date
Project managers track tasks, risks and deliverables in SharePoint lists. Claude can query these lists and summarise open items, overdue actions or items assigned to a particular person. The result is a clear weekly status view without manual exporting or copying between spreadsheets.
Organise incoming files
Finance, HR or legal teams receive many files that need filing in the right folder. Claude can help identify where a new document belongs, create the folder structure where needed and move files accordingly, with a person confirming each move if the organisation prefers tighter control.
Share documents safely
Sharing files with clients or partners must follow company rules. Claude can prepare a sharing request, check it against the approved permissions pattern and pass it to a manager for approval before the link is created. This supports consistent sharing and a clear record of who approved what.
Prepare reports from site content
Leaders often need a monthly summary built from documents and list entries spread across several sites. Claude can gather the relevant items, group them by topic and draft a summary that a person reviews before it circulates, reducing the hours spent compiling information by hand.
An end-to-end workflow: Client onboarding document pack
TriggerA new client is marked as signed in the CRM system
Claude reads the new client record in the CRM and identifies the client name and account manager.
Claude creates a standard folder structure in the client's SharePoint document library using the approved template.
Claude copies the signed contract, onboarding forms and kickoff notes into the correct folders from the shared intake site.
Claude posts a summary of the new pack in Microsoft Teams for the account manager and asks for approval before sharing any files with the client.
Once approved, Claude creates a view-only sharing link for the client and records the action in the audit log.
OutcomeNew clients receive a complete, correctly organised document pack within minutes of signing, with every external share approved by a named person and recorded for audit.
How we set it up
Free automation audit
We review your SharePoint sites, lists and libraries, and identify the workflows that take the most time. You receive a short plan showing which tasks are worth automating first, at no cost.
Secure connection
We connect Claude to SharePoint Graph through an MCP server using OAuth sign-in for user-based access, or server-to-server OAuth2 for background services. Access is limited to the sites and actions the workflow requires.
Workflow design
We design the end-to-end process across SharePoint and your other systems such as Microsoft 365, CRM or ticketing. Approval points are placed around every consequential action, such as sharing or permission changes.
Testing with real cases
We test the workflow against real past documents and list entries from your organisation. We check accuracy, permissions and edge cases, and adjust until the results meet your standards.
Launch, monitoring and training
We launch with audit logs and monitoring in place, then train your team on how to use Claude with SharePoint. We review performance with you after the first few weeks and make improvements as needed.
Who benefits
- Operations manager
- Faster access to project and operational information, with less time spent on manual document handling.
- IT head
- A governed connection with least-privilege access, audit logs and clear approval rules for sensitive actions.
- Records or document controller
- Consistent filing and sharing, with a clear record of who approved each external share.
- Department head in finance, HR or legal
- Quicker retrieval of approved templates and signed documents, and less time spent compiling reports.
Security and control
- Least-privilege access so Claude only reaches the sites, libraries and lists it needs for the workflow.
- Human approval required for consequential actions such as external sharing or permission changes.
- Audit logs recording what Claude read and changed, available for review by IT and compliance teams.
- Separate credentials for user-based OAuth sign-in and background OAuth2 services, managed under your security policies.
- Regular review of connection permissions as sites and teams change.
For teams in the US, UK, India and the Middle East
Organisations in the United States and the United Kingdom can run SharePoint workflows with Claude while aligning to their existing data protection and records requirements. In India, workflows are designed to support obligations under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. In the UAE and Saudi Arabia, we take account of local data protection laws when designing access and storage. Claude can be hosted in India, the United States, the United Kingdom or the European Union, and the hosting region is chosen to meet your specific requirements.
Learn more about Claude and MCP
Anthropic's AI model and assistant.
Secure links between Claude and business tools.
How engineers build and change software with Claude.
Hosted agents that run multi-step work.
The open standard Claude uses to connect to tools.
Frequently asked questions
What does the SharePoint Graph MCP server do?
The MCP server gives Claude a secure route into SharePoint through Microsoft Graph. It lets Claude browse sites, query lists, work with document libraries, files and folders, and manage sharing, within the permissions you set. It acts as a controlled adapter, so Claude can help with SharePoint tasks without direct, unrestricted access to your tenant.
Is connecting Claude to SharePoint secure?
Security depends on how the connection is set up. We use OAuth sign-in or server-to-server OAuth2, least-privilege scopes, separate credentials and audit logs. Consequential actions can require human approval. We review the design with your IT team before launch so that access matches your security policies.
What can Claude do with SharePoint once connected?
Typically, Claude can search for files, read list items, summarise content, help organise folders, prepare sharing requests and draft reports from site material. The exact actions depend on the permissions granted and the workflow designed for your organisation.
How long does setup take?
Timelines vary with the number of sites, lists and workflows involved. A focused connection with one or two workflows can often be launched within a few weeks, after the free audit, design and testing stages. Larger, multi-system projects take longer. We confirm the timeline during the audit.
Which Microsoft account permissions are needed?
In general, the connection needs permissions granted by a Microsoft 365 administrator for the SharePoint content it will access. The sign-in method, either OAuth for users or OAuth2 for services, determines how these are granted. We confirm the exact requirements for your tenant during the audit.