Build an enterprise employee directory with SPFx

Key insights

• The SPFx Employee Directory web part helps users search for employees using PnP search, without needing the Microsoft Graph API, and displays Microsoft's live persona card UI.


• This solution is updated to SPFx 1.20 as part of the Refresh Ranger initiative, making it modern and compatible with current SharePoint environments.


• The web part is highly configurable, allowing admins to set search fields and choose different layouts for better user experience across SharePoint and Microsoft Teams.


• Integration with Microsoft Teams ensures a consistent employee directory experience on multiple platforms within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.


• The new approach uses advanced features like enhanced search options, detailed user profiles from Azure Active Directory, and supports large organizations by handling big datasets efficiently.


• Building this directory involves setting up an SPFx project, choosing a framework like React, creating custom components, using PnP search for data retrieval, and deploying the final solution to SharePoint or Teams.

Introduction: Modernizing Employee Directories with SPFx

Microsoft’s latest demonstration, featured in a recent YouTube video, highlights the evolution of enterprise employee directories using the SharePoint Framework (SPFx). The presentation, led by Sandeep PS during the Viva Connections and SharePoint Framework community call on April 3rd, 2025, showcases an updated SPFx web part built as part of the Refresh Ranger initiative. This initiative brings SPFx to version 1.20, offering organizations a more flexible and efficient way to manage employee information.

By integrating advanced search capabilities, seamless Microsoft Teams compatibility, and enhanced persona card UI, this solution underscores Microsoft’s commitment to improving the digital workplace. As organizations strive for consistency across platforms, these innovations provide a unified experience for users navigating corporate structures in Microsoft 365 environments.

Key Features and Technology Choices

A standout aspect of the showcased employee directory is its reliance on PnP search rather than the Microsoft Graph API. This design choice addresses common concerns about permissions and complexity, allowing organizations to implement the directory without grappling with additional API dependencies. Moreover, the web part is highly configurable, letting administrators adjust search fields and layout to fit specific organizational needs.

Another important feature is the use of Microsoft’s live persona card UI, which provides users with rich, interactive employee profiles. This not only enhances the user experience but also ensures that employee data remains accessible and actionable, whether viewed in SharePoint or within Microsoft Teams. The integration with Teams is especially beneficial, as it promotes a consistent user experience across collaboration tools—a key consideration in today’s hybrid work environments.

Advantages and Tradeoffs in Implementation

The decision to modernize the employee directory using SPFx comes with several advantages. Organizations benefit from a customizable and extensible solution that can be tailored to unique branding and workflow requirements. The flexibility to select search fields and layouts means that companies can prioritize the information most relevant to their teams. Furthermore, the choice to avoid the Graph API simplifies deployment, reducing potential security and compliance hurdles.

However, these benefits are balanced by certain tradeoffs. While skipping the Graph API streamlines implementation, it may limit access to some of the richer data sets and features that the API provides. Additionally, maintaining seamless integration with both SharePoint and Teams can present challenges, particularly as both platforms continue to evolve. Developers must stay vigilant to ensure ongoing compatibility and optimal performance.

Challenges and Community Collaboration

Building and maintaining an enterprise-grade employee directory involves navigating technical and organizational challenges. Ensuring real-time data accuracy, supporting large employee datasets, and delivering a user-friendly interface require careful planning and ongoing development effort. The SPFx-based approach helps mitigate some of these challenges by leveraging well-established Microsoft 365 services and community-driven enhancements.

The open-source nature of the project, with resources available on GitHub, encourages community contributions and rapid iteration. This collaborative model allows developers to share solutions, address bugs, and suggest new features, ultimately leading to a more robust and adaptable tool. Nevertheless, organizations must allocate resources to keep their directories up-to-date and secure, especially as Microsoft releases new updates or introduces changes to the underlying frameworks.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Employee Directories

As Microsoft continues to refine SPFx and related technologies, the future of employee directories looks increasingly streamlined and powerful. The emphasis on cross-platform consistency, configurability, and ease of integration positions SPFx as a leading choice for organizations seeking to modernize their internal communication tools. However, balancing customization with maintainability remains a central challenge.

Ultimately, the advancements demonstrated in this YouTube video reflect a broader trend toward empowering organizations with tools that are both sophisticated and accessible. By engaging with the wider Microsoft 365 and Power Platform community, companies can ensure their solutions remain at the forefront of innovation while meeting the evolving needs of their workforce.

Keywords

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