Applying Branding to Multiple Sites using PnP PowerShell

Branding in SharePoint Online ensures visual consistency, improved user experience, and better corporate identity across multiple sites. Using PnP PowerShell, administrators can efficiently apply themes, logos, headers, and footers to multiple SharePoint sites.

Why use PnP PowerShell for Branding?

• Automates theme application across multiple sites
• Saves time compared to manual configuration
• Ensures consistent branding across an organization

---

Prerequisites

Before running PnP PowerShell commands:

Install PnP PowerShell (if not installed)

Install-Module -Name PnP.PowerShell -Force -AllowClobber

Connect to SharePoint Online

Connect-PnPOnline -Url "https://yourtenant-admin.sharepoint.com" -Interactive

Ensure permissions

• You must be a SharePoint Admin or Site Owner

---

Step 1: Apply a Custom Theme

To apply a custom theme across multiple sites, first, define the theme in a JSON file.

Example: JSON Theme File (custom-theme.json)

{
  "palette": {
    "themePrimary": "#0078d4",
    "themeSecondary": "#2b88d8",
    "themeTertiary": "#71afe5",
    "themeDarkAlt": "#106ebe",
    "themeDark": "#005a9e"
  },
  "isInverted": false,
  "name": "Company Theme"
}

✔️ Save the JSON file as custom-theme.json.

Upload and apply the theme using PowerShell

$themeJson = Get-Content -Raw -Path "C:\custom-theme.json"
Add-PnPTenantTheme -Identity "Company Theme" -PaletteJson $themeJson -IsInverted $false

Adds the theme to the SharePoint Tenant.

Apply the theme to multiple sites

$sites = @("https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site1",
           "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site2")

foreach ($site in $sites) {
    Connect-PnPOnline -Url $site -Interactive
    Set-PnPWebTheme -Theme "Company Theme"
}

Applies the Company Theme to all listed sites.

---

Step 2: Set a Custom Logo

To set a site logo for multiple sites:

$sites = @("https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site1",
           "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site2")

foreach ($site in $sites) {
    Connect-PnPOnline -Url $site -Interactive
    Set-PnPWeb -SiteLogoUrl "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/branding/logo.png"
}

Updates the logo for all specified sites.

---

Step 3: Configure the Header Layout

To change the site header style (e.g., compact, standard, extended, minimal):

Set-PnPWeb -HeaderLayout Extended

Sets the Extended Header layout.

For multiple sites:

$sites = @("https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site1",
           "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site2")

foreach ($site in $sites) {
    Connect-PnPOnline -Url $site -Interactive
    Set-PnPWeb -HeaderLayout Compact
}

Applies a Compact Header across all sites.

---

Step 4: Set the Footer Configuration

To enable and configure a SharePoint footer:

Set-PnPWeb -FooterEnabled $true -FooterLayout Simple

Enables a simple footer for the site.

For multiple sites:

$sites = @("https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site1",
           "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site2")

foreach ($site in $sites) {
    Connect-PnPOnline -Url $site -Interactive
    Set-PnPWeb -FooterEnabled $true -FooterLayout Extended
}

Enables and applies an Extended Footer across all sites.

---

Step 5: Automating the Branding Process

You can automate branding updates weekly or monthly using a scheduled PowerShell script:

$logPath = "C:\Logs\BrandingLog_$(Get-Date -Format 'yyyyMMdd').txt"

function Apply-Branding {
    param ($siteUrl)

    Connect-PnPOnline -Url $siteUrl -Interactive
    Set-PnPWebTheme -Theme "Company Theme"
    Set-PnPWeb -SiteLogoUrl "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/branding/logo.png"
    Set-PnPWeb -HeaderLayout Compact
    Set-PnPWeb -FooterEnabled $true -FooterLayout Extended
    "[$(Get-Date)] Applied branding to $siteUrl" | Out-File -Append -FilePath $logPath
}

$sites = @("https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site1",
           "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site2")

foreach ($site in $sites) {
    Apply-Branding -siteUrl $site
}

Logs branding updates for monitoring.

---

Step 6: Verify Branding Application

To check the applied theme on a site:

Get-PnPWebTheme

To confirm branding settings:

Get-PnPWeb | Select Title, SiteLogoUrl, HeaderLayout, FooterEnabled

Displays current branding settings.

---

Troubleshooting Issues

1️⃣ Branding Not Applied?

Ensure PnP.PowerShell is updated

Update-Module PnP.PowerShell

Verify that the theme exists using

Get-PnPTenantTheme

2️⃣ Logo Not Updating?

Ensure the logo URL is accessible
Try re-uploading the logo

3️⃣ PowerShell Script Failing?

Run PowerShell as Administrator
Check for correct site URLs