---
title: "Configuring an Input Parameter for the SharePoint Online App"
slug: "configuring-an-input-parameter-for-the-sharepoint-online-app"
description: "Configure input parameters and data sources in the dox42 SharePoint Online App to generate documents seamlessly from SharePoint."
tags: ["task", "SharePoint"]
updated: 2026-11-04T10:11:57Z
published: 2026-11-04T10:11:57Z
canonical: "help.dox42.com/configuring-an-input-parameter-for-the-sharepoint-online-app"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dox42.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configuring an Input Parameter for the SharePoint Online App

> Note: The SharePoint Online App needs an input parameter to generate your documents.

In dox42, input parameters allow you to specify one or more parameters before generating a document. In simple terms, this means that you create a query that is to be displayed before the document generation starts. This query helps you to control or customise the document generation process. It is mainly used to filter data, specify formats, or provide dynamic content at runtime.

For example, you could configure an input parameter called `EnterID` so that users can enter the ID of the training participant whose information should be included in the generated document.

In some cases, input parameters can also influence the structure of the data returned by an external service. Then, they control not only which data is retrieved but also how the external service provides that data to dox42.

## Principles of input parameters

- An input parameter mostly refers to a specific data source and is set up within the data map in the Data Map Designer.
- A data map can contain several input parameters, relating to either a single data source or several.
- The value of an input parameter can be provided by another data field, free text, or a JSON request body, depending on the data source.
- An input parameter’s syntax varies depending on the data source.

You can configure an input parameter in the dox42 Add-In. An example is found in the sample template in your SharePoint App package folder **SP_app_template**.

## Prerequisites

- [You have created a document template](/help/docs/creating-a-document-template).
- [You have created a data map](/help/docs/creating-a-standard-data-map).

## Steps overview

**Add an input parameter to your data map and configure it.**

1. In Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint, go to the **dox42** ribbon and select **Data Map**.

![Toolbar displaying various functions like Generate, Data Map, and Refresh Template options.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/connecting-the-dox42-d365-ce-crm-data-source-to-microsoft-dynamics-crm-or-d365-ce-image-yhjte275.png)

**dox42** ribbon

The **Data Map Designer** window opens.

![Data Map Designer interface showing various data source options for integration.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Bildschirmfoto 2025-04-07 um 10.44.58.png)

**Data Map Designer** window
2. Select **Input Parameter**.
3. Configure an input parameter and give it a name (e.g. `ItemID` ).

![Input parameter settings for selecting an item with JSON default values displayed.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Bildschirmfoto 2025-03-17 um 11.31.03.png)

**Input Parameter** window
4. For testing your documents easier with the dox42 Word Add-In, enter a **Default Value** for example: `[ {"id": "1"}, {"id":"2"}]`

**Add an XML/JSON data source to your data map and configure it.**

> [!NOTE]
> See also
> 
> [Importing and structuring XML/JSON data](/help/docs/adding-an-xml-json-data-source-to-your-data-map)

1. Add an XML/JSON data source and call it *JSON,* for example*.* The JSON data source parses the ID, which is important for the SharePoint Online App:
  1. Select **Insert Data Field** and select your created input parameter: `ItemID` .

![Configuration settings for JSON data source in a software application interface.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/Bildschirmfoto%202025-03-17%20um%2011.35.21.png)

Adding a new XML/JSON data source
  2. Go to the **Initialisation & Fields** tab.
  3. In the **Element** text field, enter `ID`.
  4. In the **Table** from the **Read** dropdown, select the **Content** entry.
  5. In the **Table** in the **Data Field Name** text field, enter `ID`.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/XML_JSON_data_source_window_initialisation.png)

**XML/JSON Data Source** window

**Add a SharePoint data source to your data map and configure it.**

> [!NOTE]
> See also
> 
> [Adding a SharePoint Data Source to your data map](/help/docs/adding-a-sharepoint-data-source-to-your-data-map)

1. Add a SharePoint data source.

![Adding a SharePoint Data Source](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/SharePoint%20DataSource_new%20Entra%20ID.png)

Adding a new SharePoint data source
2. Go to the **Select Fields** tab.
3. Select the **Query** button.
4. Configure the Query for your SharePoint data source.

![SharePoint interface displaying query setup for filtering candidate data by ID.](https://cdn.document360.io/3acc69da-1de2-431d-95a6-08ae83717b4a/Images/Documentation/SharePoint_SP_data source_query.png)

**SharePoint Query** configuration
5. In the Filter Field, filter the ID with your previously created **JSON.ID** data field.
6. Use the provided template to test if everything is set up correctly after you have entered your Entra ID information and the site links in the [Excel connection file](/v1/docs/using-a-microsoft-excel-config-file-for-the-add-ins-azure-ad-configuration-recommended).

## Result

You have created an input parameter and configured an XML/JSON data source as well as a SharePoint data source. You can now generate your documents locally from within the add-in.

## Next steps

Proceed with [Integrating dox42 into SharePoint Online](/help/docs/integrating-dox42-into-sharepoint-online) if you want to connect SharePoint Online to dox42 and want to generate your documents directly from SharePoint Online.