How to Configure Your Data Source

For details about the Backup > Backup sources page, including data source states and backup selection status, see Backup Page.

Manage connections

View and manage all of your tenant connections from the Backup sources page. Each connection is displayed as a card showing its data sources and their current status.

1. Navigate to Backup > Backup sources.

2. Review the available connections.

3. Use the available actions to add a data source or manage an existing one.

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4. If a connection requires renewed permissions, select Reauthorize from the connection's action menu.

Enable and manage data sources

After a connection is available, use the Backup sources page to enable protection and manage high-level settings for each source.

1. Navigate to Backup > Backup sources.

2. Find the data source you want to protect, such as Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Planner, or Entra ID objects where applicable.

3. Toggle on the data source and confirm the action.

4. Review the backup details shown for that source.

5. Click the Last backup section next to the data source to view the Activities page.

6. Click the Retention section next to the data source to assign or change its retention policy.
   You can also create new policies or manage existing ones on the Backup > Retention policies page. See How to Configure Retention Policies.

7. Click the Backup section next to the data source to open the configuration drawer and update what is included in backup. For details, see Configure backup selections below.

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Configure backup selections

Microsoft 365 data sources

After you click the Backup section next to a Microsoft 365 data source, the configuration drawer opens. From here you can:

• Change the backup mode – Select whether to Back up all items or a Custom selection.

• Include or exclude specific items – Add or remove specific users, groups, sites, or Teams from backup.

• Upload a CSV for bulk SharePoint site selections – Use a CSV file to include or exclude SharePoint sites in bulk. See How to Bulk Manage SharePoint Sites for Backup.

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By default, any new items discovered after your initial configuration are automatically included in backup.

To include or exclude items:

1. Click the Backup section next to the data source to open the configuration drawer.

2. Select the backup mode:

   • Back up all – All items are included by default. You can add exclusions to remove specific items from backup.

   • Custom selection – No items are included by default. You must add specific items to include in backup.

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3. Click Add to search for and select users, groups, sites, or Teams. For example,
   ”Custom selection” mode with specific users included.

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   “Back up all” mode with exclusions applied.

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4. Click Done, then click Apply to save your changes.

Note: Changing backup mode or modifying selections takes effect on the next scheduled backup.

Entra ID data sources

After you click the Backup section next to an Entra ID data source, the configuration drawer opens. From here you can toggle specific object types on or off for backup.

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After you configure your data sources

Once your data sources are configured, use the side navigation menu to manage your backups. You can:

• How to Back Up and Restore Your Microsoft Data – Run backups and restores.

• Activities Page – Monitor backup and restore activity.

• Reports Page – Review backup and restore reports.

• Settings Page – Manage users, configure email notifications, and control support access.