SharePoint Add-ins Support Ends: Key Dates & Info

Key insights

• The SharePoint Add-In model, introduced with SharePoint 2013 and for SharePoint Online in Microsoft 365, has been retired as of November 27th, 2023. It's essential for developers and administrators to note that while the model is still supported, it is considered outdated and not recommended for new projects.
   

• This retirement impacts SharePoint Online deployments specifically, with no current changes to the Add-In model support for SharePoint on-premises versions. The announcement emphasizes the need for transitioning to modern authentication and authorization methods due to the retirement of Azure Access Control Services (ACS) which affects SharePoint Add-In model and classic authentication patterns.
   

• A table of feature mappings outlines the transformation from classic to modern technologies, suggesting alternatives like SharePoint Framework, Azure AD registered apps, and Power Automate Flows as replacements. This indicates a shift towards more secure, efficient, and supportable solutions within the SharePoint ecosystem.
   

• Comprehensive transformation guidance is available to aid developers in moving away from the SharePoint Add-In model. This includes adopting modern authentication with Azure Active Directory, customizing the UI with SharePoint Framework (SPFx) Web Parts, and building solutions with modern SharePoint Online or Microsoft 365 technologies.
   

• Feedback mechanisms for SharePoint documentation are evolving, with a move from GitHub Issues to a new feedback system planned for 2024. This change aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of user feedback on SharePoint development documentation.
   

Understanding SharePoint Add-In Model's Transition

The SharePoint Add-In model's retirement and transition to new technologies signal a significant shift in the SharePoint development landscape. Microsoft's focus on modern solutions aims to provide more secure, efficient, and sustainable development practices. SharePoint Framework (SPFx), Azure Active Directory (AAD) registered apps, and Power Automate Flows represent the future of SharePoint development, offering enhanced capabilities and better integration with the broader Microsoft 365 ecosystem. This transition underscores the importance of developers and administrators staying abreast of the latest tools, frameworks, and best practices to ensure the success of their SharePoint projects. The provided transformation guidance serves as an invaluable resource for navigating this change, offering detailed instructions and recommendations for adopting modern development methods. As SharePoint continues to evolve, embracing these modern technologies will be crucial for building efficient, robust, and future-proof solutions.

The recent YouTube video presented by Vesa Juvonen addresses the critical topic of the deprecation and end of life for SharePoint add-ins, an essential matter for developers and administrators working with SharePoint Online. This deprecation marks a significant shift in the development landscape, pressing the need for adaptation to new technologies within SharePoint Online. Juvonen details the transition and offers guidance on modernizing existing implementations.

As of November 27th, 2023, the SharePoint Add-In model has been officially retired in SharePoint Online, although it currently remains supported. This cessation signifies no further investments in the Add-In model, with an eventual move towards discontinuation and unavailability. The video further highlights the separation between the Add-In model's retirement and the unchanged support for Add-Ins within the SharePoint on-premises versions.

The retirement impacts not only the SharePoint Add-In model but also the authentication patterns reliant on the traditional SharePoint Online hosted Microsoft Azure Access Control Service (ACS). With the retirement of Azure ACS as of November 27th, 2023, Juvonen advises moving towards Azure AD registered apps for authentication, to align with modern and long-term supported features.

Juvonen provides a comprehensive roadmap for migrating from classic technologies to new, supported ones, facilitating a smoother transition. For instance, the transition from the SharePoint Add-In model to the SharePoint Framework, and from provider-hosted Add-Ins to Azure AD registered apps, alongside other transformations like moving from JSOM to the Graph JS SDK & PnPjs library or from SharePoint Workflow to Power Automate Flows.

The video extensively covers transformation guidance across various aspects, including authentication and authorization with Azure Active Directory, customizing the modern UI, building modern SharePoint Online solutions, and modern provisioning. Each segment offers detailed insights into transitioning from outdated models to contemporary approaches that embrace the latest in Microsoft 365 technologies.

For those seeking further guidance or encountering gaps in the information, Juvonen encourages reaching out through the SharePoint developer documentation for targeted support. Additionally, a shift in the feedback mechanism for content is on the horizon for 2024, transitioning from GitHub Issues to a new system, promising enhanced engagement and support for developers.

• Deprecation of SharePoint Add-In model
• Transition to modern SharePoint technologies
• Guidance for migrating to supported technologies