Register an Azure App to Search SharePoint from Your Intranet

Overview

This guide explains how to create and configure an Azure app registration that allows your intranet to securely search SharePoint files using Microsoft Graph. Ideal for institutions using Microsoft 365 who want a hybrid intranet setup without migrating documents.

Prerequisites

• Microsoft 365 administrator access
• Azure AD access to register apps
• At least one SharePoint document library with user-accessible files
• Client ID and secret for authentication (or certificate)

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Log in to Azure Portal
Visit https://portal.azure.com and sign in with your admin account.

2. Register a New App
Navigate to Azure Active Directory → App registrations → New registration. Give it a name like IntranetSharePointSearch.

3. Configure Permissions
Under API permissions, add these delegated or application permissions for Microsoft Graph:

• Sites.Read.All - Required to search SharePoint files
• User.Read - If you want to impersonate users

4. Create a Client Secret
Under Certificates & secrets, click New client secret. Save this value securely - it won't be shown again.

5. Copy App Details
You'll need the following for your intranet integration:

• Client ID (Application ID)
• Tenant ID
• Client Secret

6. Test the Graph Connection
Use Graph Explorer (Graph Explorer) or a backend script to confirm that the app can search files from SharePoint.

Next Steps

Once the app is registered and permissions are granted, your intranet can use Microsoft Graph to search SharePoint libraries. This allows for seamless integration where staff search all content - SharePoint files, policies, procedures, and more - from a single location.

Related Features

• SharePoint Integration - Keep using SharePoint, but make it searchable through your intranet.
• Search - Unified intranet search for documents, pages, and files across systems.
• Simple by Design - Easy to use for all departments, not just IT.
• What is Microsoft 365 Integration? - Learn how hybrid setups work in financial institutions.