SharePoint doesn't support FTP or SFTP by default, but there is a common use case for organizations across industries to need to pull files from an SFTP server into SharePoint.
This is commonly a slow, manual process that involves someone logging into the SFTP server, downloading the files onto local storage, and then moving them into SharePoint.
However, this entire process can be automated with a few tools. Here, we'll cover two methods of how to automate pulling files from an SFTP server into a SharePoint site: Power Automate and Couchdrop.
SFTP to SharePoint automations with Power Automate
Power Automate is a cloud tool that businesses in the Microsoft ecosystem can use to create workflows and automate business processes. With native connections to SharePoint, that portion of the process is straightforward, but the gap is connecting to the SFTP server to download the file.
While it's not as straightforward as adding the server details and hitting go, it's still possible to use Power Automate to automate moving files to SharePoint from an SFTP server with a little bit of work (with some caveats).
The main issue with this method is that Power Automate doesn't allow you to SFTP into SharePoint with a direct connection. Instead, you get the file content and use it to create a new file in the SharePoint site.
For a walkthrough of how to use Power Automate to do this, see our guide How to move files from SFTP to SharePoint using Power Automate.
Automated SFTP to SharePoint transfers using Couchdrop
Because Couchdrop has native connections with SharePoint and SFTP servers--and was designed specifically for this kind of scenario--setting up the connection is fast, simple, and straightforward.
This workflow requires three main steps:
- Connect the remote SFTP server
- Integrate the SharePoint site destination
- Create a scheduled transfer automation
Connect remote SFTP server
Before automating the process of pulling files from an SFTP server, you'll need to connect the server to Couchdrop. To do this, add a new partner/provider connection and then choose SFTP Server.
Couchdrop will ask you for basic connection details for the server, including a username and password (the user Couchdrop will be logging into the server as). If you are unsure of what any of these details are or how to get them, see our article How to connect to an SFTP server.
Once you have all the details, test the connection, and once successful, it will appear as a virtual folder in Couchdrop.
You can also follow our interactive demo on connecting an SFTP server to Couchdrop.
Connect SharePoint
To connect to SharePoint, choose to add a new storage connection and pick Sharepoint from the list. The account that is establishing the connection needs to have permissions to edit Sites, and we recommend connecting as an admin if possible to avoid permission issues.
Couchdrop is able to connect to both default SharePoint sites as well as GCC high tenants. Default is pre-selected with its own set of fields, and changing the endpoint to GCC will change the fields to what is required to connect to GCC. With either connection type, we recommend using the default OAUTH access method. Connecting this way is simple and everything is handled for you.
If you are unable to connect using OAUTH due to organization policies or other restrictions, you can also connect via application access. This requires setting up an application and then integrating Couchdrop with that application.
For a step-by-step guide on connecting SharePoint to Couchdrop using delegated access, see our interactive demo.
Configure Automation between SFTP and SharePoint
With the SFTP server and SharePoint site connected, the next step is to configure an automation between the two. Since the automation needs to poll the remote server for new files regularly, you'll need to set up a scheduled transfer automation.
In Couchdrop, workflows are built using a visual automation builder that requires no coding. Simply choose actions using the drag-and-drop builder to create workflows to automate file transfer events like pulling files from an SFTP server into SharePoint. Every step is saved as a new version, and you can revert to previous versions at any time.
For this automation, you'll need to provide the following:
- A plain name to identify it by
- Select when you would like the automation to run - this can be as often as every five minutes, with options to add secondary schedules, e.g. every 3 hours and also every day at 9 am.
- Add the SFTP server as the location - this is the location where files will be transferred/polled from.
- Create an action to transfer/copy the files to the SharePoint destination
While the automation can simply transfer new files into SharePoint, you can also add file actions like renaming, copying, and compressing files. This can help you not only securely move the files, but process them to meet your organization's naming conventions and operation workflows all in the same process.
You can also enter an email address for automation alerts that will send a notification on a success and/or failure event.
Try Couchdrop free for 14 days
To try automating pulling files from an SFTP server into SharePoint for yourself, you can register for Couchdrop and get a 14-day free trial. This trial gives you instant access with no credit card or sales call required. Start your 14-day free trial now