If you are searching for a better SharePoint staff directory, you are not alone.
Most organizations already store employee data in Microsoft Entra ID. Names, departments, managers, job titles, locations, and custom attributes are all there.
Yet when teams try to actually use that data inside SharePoint, the experience often feels limited.
You can search.
You can view profiles.
But filtering, surfacing expertise, and customizing the directory experience is often constrained.
So, the question becomes:
“What is the best SharePoint staff directory app for Microsoft 365?”
Let’s start with the problem.
Why the Native SharePoint Directory Experience Falls Short
Microsoft 365 stores identity data in Entra ID, but the default SharePoint directory experience is not designed for deep filtering or operational visibility.
Common challenges include:
- Limited filtering by department, manager, or location
- Inconsistent expertise discovery
- Difficulty surfacing custom user profile attributes
- No simple way to highlight new hires or anniversaries
- Minimal layout customization
As organizations grow, especially across multiple locations or business units, these limitations become more visible.
The data exists. The usability gap remains.
What to Look for in a SharePoint People Directory Solution
If you are evaluating a SharePoint staff directory app, there are five critical criteria to consider:
1. Direct Integration with Entra ID
The app should pull data directly from Microsoft Entra ID using Microsoft Graph. There should be no secondary user database or data duplication.
2. Advanced Filtering and Search
You should be able to filter by:
– Department
– Job title
– Manager
– Location
– Custom attributes
Search should support real-world discovery, not just basic name lookup.
3. Configurable Layout and Experience
Modern SharePoint environments require flexible layouts that feel native and align with your branding.
4. Tenant-Contained Architecture
The app should run entirely inside your Microsoft 365 tenant using the SharePoint Framework.
No external hosting. No external identity storage.
5. Governance and Security Alignment
Identity data is sensitive. Any solution must align with your Microsoft 365 security model.
SharePoint Staff Directory App: A Purpose-Built Solution
Cloudwell’s SharePoint Staff Directory app was built to address the usability gap inside Microsoft 365.
It pulls directly from Microsoft Entra ID using Microsoft Graph and runs entirely inside your Microsoft 365 tenant.
Key capabilities include:
- Configurable filtering by job title, manager, department, and location
- Support for custom user profile attributes
- Intuitive keyword search
- Flexible card layouts
- Celebration widgets for new hires, birthdays, and anniversaries
- Seamless integration into modern SharePoint pages
Because it is built using the SharePoint Framework, it feels native. It does not duplicate identity data. It surfaces it intelligently.
What customers consistently highlight is usability.
One Marketplace reviewer shared:
“Cloudwell’s Staff Directory app has transformed our SharePoint intranet into a hub of employee information and collaboration. I love the search functionality because it is lightning-fast, and the interface is incredibly user-friendly. We’ve seen a significant increase in employee engagement since implementing this app, and it’s become an indispensable tool for our entire organization.” Source: MarketPlace Review
Built Securely Within Microsoft 365
Security is often the deciding factor for IT leaders we work with.
Cloudwell’s SharePoint Staff Directory app:
- Runs entirely inside your Microsoft 365 tenant
- Uses delegated Microsoft Graph permissions
- Does not store identity data externally
- Does not require external servers
This architecture makes it suitable for regulated industries where governance and compliance are essential.
Innovation should extend Microsoft 365. Not sit outside of it.
What Microsoft Said About Staff Directory App
During a recent product showcase, Microsoft’s Vesa Juvonen highlighted the quality of the implementation, saying:
“I love how polished the experiences are.”
He also noted:
“Awesome work on the configuration options.”
That combination of polish and flexibility is critical.
A directory only delivers value if employees actually use it. If it feels rigid or outdated, adoption stalls. If it feels intuitive and configurable, it becomes part of daily workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Microsoft 365 include a staff directory?
Microsoft 365 stores identity data in Entra ID, but the native SharePoint directory experience has limited filtering and customization capabilities.
Does Cloudwell’s SharePoint Staff Directory app duplicate user data?
No. It pulls data directly from Entra ID using Microsoft Graph. There is no secondary database.
Can we filter employees by department and manager?
Yes. The app supports configurable filtering across job title, manager, department, location, and custom attributes.
Is the SharePoint Staff Directory app secure?
Yes. It runs entirely inside your Microsoft 365 tenant and uses delegated Microsoft Graph permissions.
Can it work inside Microsoft Teams?
Yes. Because it is built on the SharePoint Framework, it can be surfaced inside Microsoft Teams environments.
See It in Action and Start a 15-Day Free Trial
If you would like to see Cloudwell’s SharePoint Staff Directory app demonstrated live, including how it integrates with Entra ID and enhances people discovery inside SharePoint, you can watch the full SharePoint Partner Showcase on YouTube.
If your organization is struggling with limited people search, unclear reporting visibility, or underused identity data, you can evaluate the solution directly.
Cloudwell’s SharePoint Staff Directory app is available with a 15-day free trial, allowing you to deploy it inside your tenant and experience the enhanced directory capabilities first hand.
No data migration. No external infrastructure. No disruption.
Just a more usable Microsoft 365 directory.