Quick Summary
Learn how to auto-populate user information in InfoPath forms using SharePoint Online's hidden User Information List when GetUserProfileByName is disabled.
A good InfoPath Developer should save user's time when completing a form.
Auto populating details like Name, Username, email address, phone number and department can slice a minute or two off form completion time.
Time Savings Impact
A one minute saving per form, on ten thousand forms a month, will save humanity 166 hours, or one full time equivalent employee!
The On-Premise Solution
When developing an InfoPath form on-premise I use the GetUserProfileByName method to populate common user fields, by creating a data connection to:
https://sharepoint-agency/_vti_bin/userprofileservice.asmx?WSDL
The SharePoint Online Problem
SharePoint Online Issue
Try this method on SharePoint Online with Office 365 and you will be rewarded with the "An error occurred while connecting to a Web Service" Error message.
Microsoft have purposefully disabled access to the User Profile service to Prevent Loop Back issues.
The SharePoint Online Solution
All is not lost.
To populate common user fields create a Data Connection to the (hidden) User Information List located at the top level of your SharePoint Online site.
https://sharepoint-agency.sharepoint.com/_catalogs/users/detail.aspx
User Information List interface in SharePoint Online
Available User Fields
You can pull down many of your favourite user details (though not all) to populate your form.
Available user information fields in the User Information List
Commonly Available Fields
- Display Name
- Email Address
- Username
- Department
Additional Fields
- Job Title
- Work Phone
- Office Location
- Manager
Implementation Benefits
- • Reduces form completion time
- • Improves data accuracy
- • Enhances user experience
- • Works reliably in SharePoint Online
Need Help with InfoPath Development?
Our SharePoint experts can help you create efficient InfoPath forms and implement user profile integration strategies for your SharePoint Online environment.