Bulk Uploading Metadata Files to SharePoint Online using PnP PowerShell

Uploading multiple files with metadata to SharePoint Online can be time-consuming if done manually. PnP PowerShell allows bulk uploading with metadata updates efficiently.

This guide will cover:
✔ Connecting to SharePoint Online
✔ Uploading multiple files to a document library
✔ Applying metadata to the uploaded files
✔ Automating the process

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Step 1: Install and Connect to SharePoint Online

Ensure PnP PowerShell is installed:

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

Update the module if needed:

Update-Module -Name PnP.PowerShell

Now, connect to your SharePoint site:

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

✔ Uses interactive login for authentication.

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Step 2: Prepare Metadata in a CSV File

Create a CSV file (metadata.csv) with the following format:

FileName	LibraryName	Title	Category	Department
file1.pdf	Documents	Report Q1	Finance	HR
file2.xlsx	Reports	Sales Data	Sales	Marketing
file3.docx	Policies	Guidelines	Compliance	Legal

✔ Ensure this CSV is stored in the same directory as the script.

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Step 3: Bulk Upload Files and Apply Metadata

Run the following script to upload files and set metadata:

# Define CSV and local folder containing files
$csvFile = "C:\Path\To\metadata.csv"
$localFolder = "C:\Path\To\Files"

# Read metadata CSV
$files = Import-Csv -Path $csvFile

# Loop through each file and upload it with metadata
foreach ($file in $files) {
    $filePath = "$localFolder\$($file.FileName)"
    $library = $file.LibraryName
    $serverRelativeUrl = "/sites/YourSite/$library/$($file.FileName)"
    
    # Upload the file to the specified document library
    Add-PnPFile -Path $filePath -Folder $library
    
    # Set metadata
    Set-PnPListItem -List $library -Identity $serverRelativeUrl -Values @{
        "Title" = $file.Title
        "Category" = $file.Category
        "Department" = $file.Department
    }

    Write-Host "Uploaded and tagged: $($file.FileName)"
}

✔ Uploads each file to the respective document library.
✔ Applies metadata from CSV.

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Step 4: Automate Bulk Uploading Using Task Scheduler

1. Save the script as BulkUpload.ps1.
2. Open Task Scheduler → Create Basic Task.
3. Set Trigger → Daily or Weekly.
4. Set Action → Start a Program.
5. Use this command: -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Scripts\BulkUpload.ps1"

✔ Ensures automated bulk file uploads with metadata.

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Step 5: Verify Uploaded Files & Metadata

To check uploaded files:

Get-PnPListItem -List "Documents" | Select-Object FieldValues

✔ Confirms that files are uploaded and metadata is applied.