What is SPFx (SharePoint Framework)?
SPFx (SharePoint Framework) is a client-side development model for buildingweb parts, extensions, and making apps in SharePoint without requiring iFrames.
iFrames == No fun
:)
🔹 Why Use SPFx?
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|
| Full Client-Side Development | No need for server-side code; works with JavaScript frameworks like React |
| Runs in the SharePoint Page DOM | No iFrames, making it lightweight and fast |
| Works in Modern and Classic SharePoint | Supports SharePoint Online & SharePoint 2016+ |
| Integrates with Microsoft Graph API | Fetch data from Microsoft 365 (Users, Teams, Outlook, etc.) |
| Secure & Governed by SharePoint | Uses OAuth authentication via SharePoint and Microsoft 365 |
| Deploys Easily via SharePoint App Catalog | No need for farm solutions or heavy server-side deployments |
🔹 What Can You Build with SPFx?
✅ Web Parts – Custom UI components for SharePoint pages
✅ Extensions – Custom toolbar buttons, field customizers, command sets
✅ List View Customizations – Change how SharePoint lists are displayed
✅ Microsoft Teams Apps – SPFx solutions can be embedded in Teams
🔹 SPFx vs PowerApps vs Power Automate
| Feature | SPFx | PowerApps | Power Automate |
|---|
| Customization Level | High (Full JavaScript/React Control) | Medium (Low-code, UI-focused) | Low (Automation only) |
| Use Case | Web parts, extensions, deep SharePoint integration | Forms, business applications | Workflow automation |
| Code Requirement | Yes (TypeScript, JavaScript, React, etc.) | No-code/Low-code | No-code/Low-code |
| Best For | Developers | Power Users | Process Automation |
🔹 When to Use SPFx?
- You need custom web parts that match SharePoint’s modern UI
- You want deeper control over the SharePoint page layout and functionality
- You need to integrate SharePoint with external APIs (Graph API, REST, etc.)
- You want to build reusable components for multiple SharePoint sites
🔹 How to Get Started with SPFx?
1. Set up your dev environment
Install Node.js, Yeoman, and the SPFx Generator:
1
| npm install -g yo gulp @microsoft/generator-sharepoint
|
2. Create a new SPFx solution
1
| yo @microsoft/sharepoint
|
3. Build and Run the Web Part Locally
4. Deploy to SharePoint Online
- Package your solution:
1
2
| gulp bundle --ship
gulp package-solution --ship
|
- Upload to SharePoint App Catalog.
