SharePoint Document Issues

How to Extract MSG File Data into SharePoint Columns with Power Automate

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 7, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to extract specific email metadata (sender, recipients, subject, and body) from uploaded .msg files and automatically populate matching columns in a SharePoint Online library.

How to Extract Data from MSG Files into SharePoint Columns

Product: SharePoint Online / Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing email records and automating metadata entry in a SharePoint document library.
Observed behavior: Instead of manually typing email details, the goal is to automatically parse the uploaded .msg file and map its attributes to the respective SharePoint metadata columns.

Before you start

Ensure you have adequate permissions to create and manage Power Automate flows in your Microsoft 365 environment, and that your SharePoint document library already has the target columns (e.g., Sender, Recipient, Subject) created.

Solution 1Recommended

Automate Data Extraction Using Power Automate

Create a Power Automate cloud flow that triggers upon file upload, parses the MSG file structure, and updates the SharePoint library metadata.

Power Automate is the most effective tool for handling file metadata in SharePoint Online. Since natively parsing .msg files can be complex, this process typically involves using premium third-party connectors (such as Encodian or Muhimbi) designed to read email file formats.

Set up the flow trigger

Log in to Microsoft Power Automate, click on 'Create', and select 'Automated cloud flow'. Choose the SharePoint trigger 'When a file is created (properties only)' and configure it with your Site Address and Library Name.

Retrieve the file content

Add a new action and search for 'Get file content' under the SharePoint connector. Map the 'Identifier' field using the dynamic content from your initial trigger to fetch the uploaded .msg file.

Parse the MSG file metadata

Add an action to parse the email file. If using a connector like Encodian, select 'Parse MSG' and pass the file content from the previous step. This will extract the email's sender, recipient, subject, and body into accessible JSON variables.

Update file properties

Finally, add the SharePoint 'Update file properties' action. Select your Site and Library again, map the Item ID, and populate your custom SharePoint columns (Sender, Subject, etc.) using the dynamic content generated by the parsing action.

Automate Data Extraction Using Power Automate

Community Support: If you prefer not to use premium connectors, you can build custom Azure Functions or seek alternative JSON parsing expressions by posting your specific requirements in the Microsoft Power Automate Community.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extract MSG file data in SharePoint natively without third-party connectors?

Natively, Power Automate does not have a built-in action specifically designed to parse the internal properties of .msg files. You typically must rely on third-party connectors, convert the file to .eml first, or utilize a custom Azure Function to extract the data.

Do I need premium Power Automate licenses for this automation?

It depends on the method you choose. If you utilize third-party connectors (like Encodian or Muhimbi) to parse the .msg file, or if you make HTTP requests to custom APIs, a premium Power Automate license will be required.

How do I create the necessary custom columns in my SharePoint library?

Navigate to your SharePoint document library, click on 'Add column' at the end of the column headers, select the appropriate data type (e.g., 'Single line of text' for the Subject, or 'Person' for the Sender), provide a name, and click 'Save'. Make sure to do this before creating your flow.

Why isn't my Power Automate flow triggering when I upload an MSG file?

First, verify that your trigger is correctly pointed to the exact Site Address and Library Name. Secondly, check if your document library has mandatory columns without default values; missing required information during the initial upload can sometimes prevent the file creation event from completing and triggering the flow.

Document & File Issues