### 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](http://www.infopath.co.nz/) 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](https://support.microsoft.com/en-nz/kb/2619846) 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.

[Get InfoPath Development Help](/content/consulting/index.html)