Deploy the Business Connectivity Services hybrid scenario as an external list

APPLIES TO: 2013 2016 2019 Subscription Edition SharePoint in Microsoft 365

The procedures in this article show you how to integrate external data by using an external list. Make sure you've already prepared your environment for the Business Connectivity Services hybrid scenario before you follow the procedures in this article.

Manually extract an external content type to a BDCM file

The external content type that you configured must be manually extracted and saved as a file with a .bcdm extension. This is done by using Visual Studio 2012. Follow the procedure in How to: Convert an App-Scoped External Content Type to Tenant-Scoped in the MSDN Library.

You'll need the .bcdm file for the next procedure.

Import the BDCM file into the SharePoint in Microsoft 365 BDC Metadata Store

When you import the BDC Model file into SharePoint in Microsoft 365, you must be signed in to the SharePoint admin center with a federated account (an account imported to Microsoft 365 from on-premises using Directory Sync). This federated account should also be given global admin rights in Microsoft 365. When importing the BDC Model to configure Hybrid BCS, certain calls are made to SharePoint Server that will require you use a federated user account. Be aware the account must also have a populated user profile in SharePoint Server.

To import a BDCM file into the SharePoint in Microsoft 365 BDC Metadata Store

1. Go to More features in the SharePoint admin center, and sign in with an account that has admin permissions in Microsoft 365.

2. Under BCS, select Open.

3. Under business connectivity services, click Manage BDC Models and External Content Types.

4. On the Edit tab, click Import.

5. Click Browse, and then browse to the .bdcm file that you exported.

6. Leave the default selections for File Type and Advanced Settings, and then click Import. During the import, BCS validates the XML in the model, queries the connection settings object, and connects to the on-premises OData source.

When you import a BDCM model into the BDC metadata service, you are creating an external content type. This external content type is available for tenant-wide use.

Create an external list for the BCS hybrid scenario

The next step is to create the external list.

To create an external list for the BCS hybrid scenario

1. Open the site that you prepared by using an account that has site owner permissions and is a federated account.

2. On the Quick Launch, click Site Contents, and then click add an app.

3. Click External List, and then provide a name for the list.

4. Click the Select External Content Type link next to the External Content Type box.

5. Select the external content type that you created, click OK, and then click Create.

6. Open the external list and confirm that your external data is displayed.

Once the list is created, validate the scenario.

See also

Concepts

Deploy a Business Connectivity Services hybrid solution in SharePoint in Microsoft 365