Automating Site Branding in SharePoint Online using PnP PowerShell

Branding SharePoint Online sites is crucial for providing a consistent look and feel across an organization. PnP PowerShell allows administrators to automate branding tasks such as applying themes, logos, headers, navigation, and site designs. This guide covers step-by-step automation of SharePoint Online site branding using PnP PowerShell.

1. Connecting to SharePoint Online

Before applying branding settings, establish a secure connection.

Using Modern Authentication (MFA)

Connect-PnPOnline -Url "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/YourSite" -UseWebLogin

Using App Registration for Automation

$TenantID = "xxxx-xxxx-xxxx"
$ClientID = "yyyy-yyyy-yyyy"
$CertPath = "C:\Certificates\PnPCert.pfx"

Connect-PnPOnline -Url "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com" -ClientId $ClientID -Tenant $TenantID -CertificatePath $CertPath

Why? Ensures secure, automated access.

2. Applying a Custom Theme

Retrieve Available Themes

Get-PnPTenantTheme

Apply a Built-in Theme

Set-PnPWebTheme -Theme "Blue" -WebUrl "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/YourSite"

Apply a Custom Theme

1️⃣ Define the Theme JSON

$ThemeJson = @"
{
  "palette": {
    "themePrimary": "#0078d4",
    "themeLighterAlt": "#eff6fc",
    "themeLighter": "#deecf9",
    "themeLight": "#c7e0f4",
    "themeTertiary": "#71afe5",
    "themeSecondary": "#2b88d8",
    "themeDarkAlt": "#106ebe",
    "themeDark": "#005a9e",
    "themeDarker": "#004578"
  }
}
"@

2️⃣ Add the Custom Theme

Add-PnPTenantTheme -Identity "CustomCompanyTheme" -PaletteJson $ThemeJson -IsInverted $false -Overwrite

3️⃣ Apply the Custom Theme

Set-PnPWebTheme -Theme "CustomCompanyTheme" -WebUrl "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/YourSite"

Why? Enhances corporate branding consistency.

3. Updating the Site Logo

Set a Site Logo

Set-PnPWeb -SiteLogoUrl "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/SiteAssets/logo.png"

Why? Reinforces brand identity across SharePoint sites.

4. Configuring the Header Layout

Apply a Minimal Header

Set-PnPWeb -HeaderLayout Minimal

Apply a Standard Header

Set-PnPWeb -HeaderLayout Standard

Why? Improves site navigation and user experience.

5. Customizing Site Navigation

Add a Navigation Link

Add-PnPNavigationNode -Title "Company Portal" -Url "https://company.com" -Location "TopNavigationBar" -External

Remove a Navigation Link

Remove-PnPNavigationNode -Identity "Company Portal" -Location "TopNavigationBar"

Why? Ensures streamlined navigation across the organization.

6. Automating Branding for Multiple Sites

Apply Branding Across Multiple Sites

$Sites = @(
    "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site1",
    "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site2",
    "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site3"
)

foreach ($site in $Sites) {
    Connect-PnPOnline -Url $site -UseWebLogin
    Set-PnPWebTheme -Theme "CustomCompanyTheme" -WebUrl $site
    Set-PnPWeb -SiteLogoUrl "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/SiteAssets/logo.png"
    Write-Host "Branding applied to $site"
}

Why? Saves time by applying branding changes in bulk.

7. Using Site Designs and Site Scripts for Branding

Site designs and scripts help enforce consistent branding when new sites are created.

Create a Site Script

$SiteScript = @"
{
  "$schema": "schema.json",
  "actions": [
    {
      "verb": "applyTheme",
      "themeName": "CustomCompanyTheme"
    },
    {
      "verb": "setSiteLogo",
      "url": "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/SiteAssets/logo.png"
    }
  ],
  "version": 1
}
"@

Add the Site Script

$SiteScriptId = Add-PnPSiteScript -Title "Company Branding Script" -Content $SiteScript

Create a Site Design

Add-PnPSiteDesign -Title "Company Branding Design" -WebTemplate "64" -SiteScripts $SiteScriptId -Description "Applies company branding."

Why? Automatically applies branding when new sites are created.

8. Best Practices for Automating Site Branding

Use Secure Authentication
🔹 Always use MFA or App Registration for secure access.

Maintain Theme Consistency
🔹 Store themes centrally and apply them using automation.

Use Site Designs for Standardization
🔹 Apply pre-configured site designs to new SharePoint sites.

Test in a Development Environment
🔹 Deploy branding updates in test sites first before rolling out company-wide.

Use Logging for Tracking Changes
🔹 Keep a record of branding updates using PowerShell transcripts.

Start-Transcript -Path "C:\Logs\BrandingLog.txt" -Append

Why? Ensures accountability and compliance.