Benefits of using PowerShell with SharePoint

This is an article I have written for the Microsoft 365 Community Docs repository on Github. If you don’t know what this repository is about, I would highly encourage you to have a look at the README file. It contains information to guide you about the purpose of the repo, and also how to contribute!

What is PowerShell?

PowerShell is an automation scripting language from Microsoft, which was originally only available on Windows devices, and built on top of the .NET Framework. Since 2016, we also have PowerShell Core which is open-source, cross-platform, and built on top of .NET Core.

The version that ships on Windows devices is called Windows PowerShell, and the cross-platform version is called PowerShell Core and is also available on Windows.

PowerShell for SharePoint

In the SharePoint world, we have multiple modules available, and which one to use mostly depends on your SharePoint infrastructure. Is it SharePoint on-premises? Is it SharePoint Online?

Let’s have a look at all the different modules currently available for SharePoint.

Client-Side Object Model (CSOM)

The Client-Side Object Model is more intended for developers, as they will use it to build applications by accessing many SharePoint functionalities. But it can be used by administrators when native PowerShell cmdlets don’t exist, or to create scripts.

SharePoint PowerShell Snapin

Whenever we use PowerShell, we usually install the required module, and run Import-Module. However, with SharePoint on-premises, before you can access the cmdlets (except if you’re on the pre-loaded SharePoint Management Shell), you need to run Add-PSSnapin Microsoft.SharePoint.PowerShell. Not a big deal, but something to know.

There’s a lot of possibilities to manage your environment with the SharePoint on-premises cmdlets, as the module contains approximatively 840 cmdlets.

SharePoint Online Management Shell (by Microsoft)

Microsoft also created a module for SharePoint Online, however it contains approx. 162 cmdlets (late 2019).

That’s a big drop from the on-premises version isn’t it? But when you think about it, it makes sense. With SharePoint Online, as you may know, there’s a lot Microsoft is taking care of, therefore there’s no need for us to manage databases, Service Applications, or even Web Applications as a few examples.

PnP PowerShell (Patterns & Practices)

PnP PowerShell is a Community initiative/effort and is available on Github. It combines complex CSOM & Microsoft Graph cmdlets in the background, and gives us the look and feel of native PowerShell that we are familiar with. The module is expanding beyond SharePoint, to also serve Microsoft Teams, Power Automate, Microsoft 365 Groups, Planner, etc… and has 500+ commands.

CLI for Microsoft 365

Also part of the PowerShell PnP initiative is the CLI for Microsoft 365. This allows you to manage your Microsoft 365 tenant and SharePoint Framework projects on any platform.

No matter if you’re on Windows, macOS or Linux, using Bash, Cmder or PowerShell, using the CLI for Microsoft 365 you can configure Office 365, manage SharePoint Framework projects and build automation scripts.

So why should you use PowerShell?

As mentioned at the beginning, PowerShell is an automation scripting language. Therefore, most of the tasks that require many ‘clicks’ or are repetitive should be automated. PowerShell is used primarily for bulk actions, or complex automation tasks mixed with other files format like .csv, .json, or .XML, and will reduce most time consuming efforts in the long run.

Real world scenario

Imagine it’s Friday 4.00pm, you are just tasked to create 100 Site Collections, and you can’t be late for a very important appointment that day. Do you think you can achieve that manually, (very) quickly so you can leave early? 😰

Chances are… you’re going to miss your appointment.

If you use PowerShell, it’s likely to take less than 5 mins, and off you go!

Anything else?

Sure, you have other purposes for using PowerShell in SharePoint of course. Other than creating things, you can change/remove them all at once on multiple sites, extract information like Users/Groups/Permissions, and even integrate with other platforms like Azure to automate your most complex tasks!

More examples where PowerShell is used:

• SharePoint Site Templates & Site Scripts
• WPF Applications (Graphical User Interfaces)
• Reporting

Who should know PowerShell?

This question might be a bit tricky for some.

• Administrators should definitely know PowerShell. No question about that.
• Site Owners mostly delegate to administrators if there’s a lot of activities to perform on the their site(s).
• End-Users are unlikely to need PowerShell unless it’s one of their interests.

PowerShell Development is also a known skill and usually coupled with other ones like C#, or SQL Server to only name a few.

Why is it so important?

Managing SharePoint on-premises or online effectively and efficiently is crucial. This also applies to other platforms like Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange, or Systems Administration.

If you live within the Microsoft ecosystem on a daily basis, you will likely use PowerShell at some point.