Introduction
A Microsoft Graph connector is a tool that allows you to bring content from external services into Microsoft Graph, enabling that data to be discoverable in various Microsoft 365 experiences such as Microsoft Search, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and more.
These connectors can integrate data from a wide range of sources, including on-premises data sources like SQL databases and file shares, as well as cloud services like Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Google services. This integration helps to enhance productivity by making external data accessible within the familiar Microsoft 365 environment.
You can use existing connectors provided by Microsoft and its partners, or you can build custom connectors using the Microsoft Graph connectors SDK or REST APIs. This flexibility allows you to tailor the connectors to meet specific needs and ensure that your external data is seamlessly integrated into your organization's workflows.
In the following module, we discuss the process of building connections using Microsoft Graph connectors. We'll discuss how to set them up in the Microsoft 365 admin center and how they work with the semantic search index to provide a seamless and comprehensive search experience. By the end of this module, you'll have a solid understanding of how to extend Copilot's capabilities by using graph connectors.
Why should you consider using Microsoft Graph connectors?
Graph connectors let you bring in data from other services to Microsoft Graph and the search index. This way, you can easily find external data in different Microsoft 365 apps and tools. When you set up connections in the Microsoft 365 admin center, you can do more with your data and help your organization work better. They let you make non-Microsoft 365 data show up in Microsoft 365 Search results, so you can search for more kinds of content in your Microsoft 365 apps and the Microsoft ecosystem.
Some of the things you can do with these connectors are:
- Make your search experience better by finding non-Microsoft 365 content along with Microsoft 365 data.
- Keep the same permissions from your data source, so users only see what they can access.
- Add unstructured, business data to Microsoft Graph, so Copilot can work with all your data.
Also, Graph connectors keep the permissions from your data source, so users in your organization can only see what they're allowed to. This setting ensures a more seamless and efficient search experience across your organization's data landscape.
Standard Graph connectors
Microsoft 365 comes with some ready-made Graph connectors that let you connect to different services and platforms. These connectors help you index data from outside sources so that you can find it in Microsoft Search results. This way, you can access external data easily across Microsoft 365 apps. Some of the categories for these connectors are:
Collaboration & Communications: These connectors let you work with different tools and platforms for teamwork and communication.
Content Management Systems: These connectors help you index content from various systems that manage your web pages, documents, and media.
Databases: These connectors enable you to search data from different types of databases. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Sales, and Support: These connectors link to various platforms that run your business processes and operations.
File Systems: These connectors allow you to access data from different file storage systems.
IT Service Management Tools (ITSM): These connectors integrate with tools that manage your IT services and support.
The topics covered in this module include:
- Configuring connections for Microsoft Graph connectors.
- Setting and Managing Search Schema Attributes.
- Setting Refresh Intervals, Crawl Schedules, and Configuring Crawl Scheduling.
- Publishing, Monitoring, and Managing Microsoft Graph Connections.
By the end of this module, you'll understand how to configure connections in the Microsoft 365 admin center, and see how Graph connectors integrate your enterprise data into the Copilot experience, enhancing its discoverability and engagement.