Using SharePoint Designer 2013 with Office 365 MFA: A Guide to Connect Seamlessly with Multi-Factor Authentication

SharePoint Designer 2013 has long been a powerful tool for customizing SharePoint sites, workflows, and content, especially for users relying on SharePoint Online as part of Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365). However, since Microsoft introduced Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as a security enhancement across all Office 365 services, users have discovered that SharePoint Designer 2013 does not natively support modern authentication methods, including MFA.

So, what challenges does this present? When MFA is enabled, logging in to SharePoint Designer 2013 using your organizational account often results in authentication errors or connection failures. The main reason is that SharePoint Designer 2013 only understands legacy authentication, which is not compatible with the extra authentication step introduced by MFA.

If you find yourself needing to work on SharePoint Online sites protected by MFA, there are a few workarounds and alternatives:

1. App Passwords: If permitted by your organization, you can create an App Password (via your Microsoft Account Security page) and use it instead of your regular password. This allows legacy apps to bypass MFA—but many IT administrators are now disabling this option for security reasons.
2. Use Newer Tools: Microsoft is gradually deprecating SharePoint Designer in favor of more modern tools. For workflows, consider Power Automate; for site customization, leverage SharePoint Framework (SPFx) or site-level configuration in SharePoint Online itself.
3. Temporary MFA Relaxation: In some cases, IT administrators may temporarily disable MFA for a user during specific tasks. However, this should only be done in strictly controlled circumstances due to the security implications.

As a designer, I often recommend taking this opportunity to rethink how we approach SharePoint site customization. With the limitations of desktop tools like SharePoint Designer, web-based platforms and cloud-native tools offer not just better security, but also greater collaboration and design flexibility. Especially when it comes to envisioning layouts and intuitive structures for content, leveraging a floor plan tool for space planning can provide a clear, visual way to map out and communicate the intended design to teams and stakeholders. Integrating architectural planning principles—like flow, zoning, and accessibility—into your SharePoint site architecture can result in a more user-friendly and visually cohesive experience for all users.

Tips 1:

Plan for the transition: Microsoft’s support for SharePoint Designer 2013 is limited, and with growing security demands tied to MFA, it’s wise to proactively migrate your customizations and workflows to supported, future-proof solutions like Power Automate and SPFx. This ensures both compliance and improved user experience.

FAQ

Q: Can I use SharePoint Designer 2013 with SharePoint Online if MFA is enabled?

A: Out of the box, SharePoint Designer 2013 does not support MFA. Workarounds such as app passwords, if allowed, or legacy authentication exemption may be used but are not recommended for long-term use due to security risks. Q: What are app passwords, and will they always work?

A: App passwords are single-use “legacy” passwords that bypass MFA for older applications. However, many organizations are disabling this feature due to security considerations, so it may not always be available. Q: What modern tools should I use instead of SharePoint Designer 2013?

A: Power Automate (for workflows), SharePoint Online’s built-in site configuration features, and development with SharePoint Framework (SPFx) are the current best practices. Q: Are there risks to disabling MFA for SharePoint Designer 2013 use?

A: Yes, disabling MFA—even temporarily—increases the risk of unauthorized access. Only do this after evaluating security policies and with proper oversight. Q: How can I visually design site layouts for SharePoint?

A: Using visual planning tools, like AI-driven floor planners, can help map out navigation, content zones, and site architecture, improving collaboration and user experience on your SharePoint site.