When adding a new connector, all data areas are automatically selected. We recommend you create separate connectors for different data areas of Microsoft 365:

  • One for Exchange data (including public folders) 
  • One for OneDrive data
  • One for SharePoint and Groups & Teams data
  • One for  Teams Chats data

Note: You can use the same Microsoft Global administrator account for each connector. 

This is an optimal setup because Exchange and OneDrive do not have linked data, while Groups & Teams and SharePoint do.

Backing up data across different connectors will ensure a faster initial backup speed. This is because we use separate APIs to back up different data areas. Separating data will prevent certain data from stalling the backup of other data. Learn more about how we process data here.

Additionally, this can help to improve the back performance of Exchange data if you encounter throttling from the side of Microsoft. In this case, you can have Microsoft temporarily raise your throttling limits, and as a result the data on this connector will be backed up and become accessible quicker. Learn more about throttling and what can be done here.

Finally, this setup will also ensure a higher performing subfolder search.

Configuring a new connector

When adding a new connector, all data areas are automatically selected. If you are creating separate connectors, remember to exclude data areas from the backup before saving. Then proceed to creating additional connectors for other data areas. 

1. Select Configure under the desired data area.
2. Customize settings.
3. Save your changes by selecting OK.

Additional information on your SharePoint backup

You can exclude a specific type of SharePoint data but please keep in mind that limiting the data in your backup can affect your restore functionality. Accordingly, the advanced SharePoint configuration should be used only in cases where very large amounts of data need to be backed up or for troubleshooting. For more information on how your restore can be affected, see: Restoring SharePoint data with a custom backup configuration

Note: It is not possible to select only metadata for the backup. Library files and/or List items must also be selected. 

Additional information on your Groups and Teams backup

Selecting the SharePoint data type in the Advance settings means that team sites and their notebooks will be backed up. Learn more: Microsoft 365 Groups and Teams data coverage

Sync Exchange, OneDrive, and Teams Chats user selection

User selections for Exchange, OneDrive, and Teams Chats data areas are automatically synchronized. This implies that any changes made to group or user selections in one area will apply to all three.

If you wish to have distinct selections for each data area, unlink the user selections. 

Important: If you've previously chosen different groups for backup in Exchange, OneDrive, and Teams Chats, and later opt to link their selections, the user configurations will synchronize based on the data area you enable it for. For instance, if you enable synchronization in the Exchange configuration, the selections for OneDrive and Teams Chats groups will be cleared, and the Exchange selections will apply to OneDrive and Teams Chats, and vice versa.

SharePoint and OneDrive Versions backup

By default, we back up only the most recent version of your SharePoint and OneDrive items.

You have the option to enable the backup of the most recent 10 versions, most recent 100 versions, or all versions.

Keep in mind that backing up versions may result in slower backup performance.

You can configure your versions backup in the Advanced settings.