Data Protection Issues

Where is Microsoft Sway Data Stored for EU Tenants?

Maira Mehtab Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is seeking information on the physical data center locations where Microsoft Sway stores data for tenants based in the European Union.

Where is Microsoft Sway Data Stored for EU Tenants?

Product: Microsoft Sway
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Understanding data residency and compliance rules for Microsoft Sway data within an EU-based organization.
Observed behavior: Data provided through Microsoft Sway may be stored in Azure data centers located in either the European Union or the United States.

Before you start

Verify your organization's Microsoft 365 tenant location in the Admin Center to understand your default data residency boundaries before reviewing Sway policies.

Solution 1Recommended

Review Microsoft Sway Data Residency Rules

Understand how Microsoft Sway routes and stores tenant data across its regional Azure data centers.

While Microsoft generally prioritizes storing data in data centers located within the European Union for EU-based tenants, Microsoft Sway has specific architectural behaviors.

Depending on the service configuration, data provided through Sway may be stored in Azure data centers in the EU or the United States. This hybrid storage model is important for EU organizations maintaining strict GDPR compliance.

Access the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Check Data Location Settings

Navigate to 'Settings', select 'Org settings', and click on 'Organization profile' to view your designated 'Data location'.

Consult Official Sway Admin Documentation

Review the official Microsoft Sway administration documentation regarding data locations for the most up-to-date conditions on US and EU data storage routing.

Review Microsoft Sway Data Residency Rules

Compliance Note: Because Sway data may cross into the US, ensure your organization's data protection officer evaluates this configuration against your internal compliance requirements.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Complete Local Data Control

If cloud data residency and cross-border storage policies are a concern, WPS Office provides a powerful, locally-installed alternative to cloud-first presentation tools, giving you complete control over where your files are saved.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process.
3. Save Files Locally: Create your presentations in WPS Presentation and choose 'Save to Local' to ensure your data never leaves your preferred storage environment.

Save presentations entirely on local storage to bypass cloud data residency concernsHigh compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx), Word (.docx), and Excel (.xlsx) formatsFree, lightweight, and easy to deploy across your organizationFamiliar user interface ensuring seamless migration for your team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I force Microsoft Sway to store my data only in the EU?

Currently, Microsoft Sway does not offer a strict EU-only storage toggle. Data may still be processed or stored in US Azure data centers depending on the specific service configuration. Always refer to the latest Microsoft Trust Center documentation for updates.

What type of data does Microsoft Sway store?

Sway stores all the multimedia content you upload—such as images, videos, and text—as well as the structural layout and metadata of your presentations within Azure cloud environments.

Does Microsoft 365 Advanced Data Residency cover Sway?

Microsoft 365 Advanced Data Residency add-ons primarily cover core workloads like Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Microsoft Teams. You must review specific Sway service terms to see if it qualifies for strict in-region storage.

Microsoft Office Security Issues