Data Protection Issues

How to Scan Microsoft Word and Excel Files for Sensitivity Labels

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

Developers need a programmatic method to detect Microsoft Information Protection sensitivity labels in Word and Excel files before accepting them as uploads in a Streamlit application.

Product: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Graph API
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Building a custom Streamlit web application that requires verifying file security and sensitivity policies before allowing user uploads.
Observed behavior: The developer is looking for the correct Microsoft API endpoints and document-service methods to securely extract sensitivity metadata from Office documents.

Before you start

Before attempting to scan for sensitivity labels programmatically, ensure you have an active Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) tenant and the necessary administrative rights to configure Microsoft Graph API permissions.

Solution 1Recommended

Seek Specialized Guidance via Microsoft Q&A

Since retrieving sensitivity labels requires custom API integration, the best approach is to consult Microsoft's developer community for specific code implementations.

Detecting Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) sensitivity labels in third-party applications like Streamlit involves complex integrations with Microsoft Graph and specialized document-service development APIs.

Because this requires custom code rather than a standard end-user feature, the official Microsoft developer support channels are the most effective place to get accurate API payloads and authentication flows.

Review Microsoft Graph Documentation

Navigate to the official Microsoft Graph API documentation online and search for 'Information Protection' endpoints to understand how sensitivity labels are structured and retrieved.

Visit the Microsoft Q&A Platform

Go to the official Microsoft Q&A website (learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers) and sign in with your developer account.

Post Your Development Query

Create a new thread asking for guidance on scanning uploaded files for labels, ensuring you tag the post with 'Microsoft Graph' and 'Document Services Development' so it reaches the specialized support engineers.

Developer Resources: Standard Python data libraries usually cannot read encrypted MIP labels. You will likely need to implement the Microsoft Information Protection SDK or Microsoft Graph API calls to extract this metadata securely.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Lightweight Alternative for Office Files?

If you frequently work with Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations but prefer a faster, more lightweight solution without complex licensing, try WPS Office. It provides robust functionality and an intuitive interface for all your productivity needs.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install the suite.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open, edit, and save your existing Word and Excel files with full formatting compatibility.

Highly compatible with standard Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) formats.Lightweight installation and incredibly fast startup speed.All-in-one suite combining document, spreadsheet, presentation, and PDF tools.Free to use with a familiar interface that requires zero learning curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read Microsoft sensitivity labels directly using standard Python libraries?

No, standard Python libraries like pandas, openpyxl, or python-docx typically do not parse Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) sensitivity metadata. You generally need to use the Microsoft Information Protection SDK or make authenticated calls to the Microsoft Graph API.

What is a sensitivity label in Microsoft Word or Excel?

Sensitivity labels are security and classification tags applied via Microsoft Purview Information Protection. They help organizations classify data based on confidentiality and often apply protections such as encryption, access restrictions, or visual watermarks.

Where can I get help for Microsoft Graph API integration?

The most effective place to seek assistance for Microsoft Graph and custom document service development is the official Microsoft Q&A platform, where dedicated Microsoft engineers and community developers provide code-level troubleshooting.

Microsoft Office Security Issues