How to add a custom domain name in SharePoint Online with a federated domain environment

  • Article

If you already use a federated domain environment with Office 365, you cannot add a custom domain name at the domain menu in SharePoint Online directly. In this case, you can use the new-MSolFedratedDomain cmdlet in the Microsoft Online Services Module for Windows PowerShell.

(Post courtesy Soon Im Kim)

As a SharePoint Online Administrator you can create a public Website. When you setup the site, you can use a custom domain name that your company owns. In this case, if your environment is federated, you should use a new-MSolFedratedDomain cmdlet in "Microsoft Online Services Module for Windows PowerShell"

This article describes how to create a public-facing Website by using a custom domain name and you can see below 3 blocks:

  • Add a custom domain name
  • Create a Public Web Site by using a custom domain name
  • Create a CNAME record

Add a custom domain name

To add a custom domain name, use these steps.

1. Navigate to Microsoft Online Services Module for Windows PowerShell by going to Start-> All Programs -> Microsoft Online Services. Right click on Microsoft Online Services Module for Windows PowerShell and click Run as administrator.

clip_image002

2. Once PowerShell is open, run $cred=Get-Credential. When the cmdlet prompts you for credentials, type your Office 365 admin username and password.

clip_image004

3. Run Connect-MsolService -Credential $cred. This cmdlet connects PowerShell session to your Office 365 account.

4. Confirm domain names in the Office 365 tenant domain using Get-MSolDomain.

clip_image006

5. Add a custom domain name you want to use as a public Web site address using new-MSolFederatedDomain cmdlet. Then, you can confirm your custom domain name is added using Get-MSolDomain again.

clip_image008

6. Now you can find your custom domain (in this example, www.onprem04.datamotion.co.kr ) at the Office 365 Domains and using Domain Intent menu, you can make this domain as a SharePoint Online Services as below.

clip_image010

Create a Public Web Site by using a custom domain name

1. Go to SharePoint Online Administration Center and Click ‘Site Collections’.

2. Click ‘New’ button and Click ‘Public Website’.

clip_image012

3. Create your Public Website. At the URL, choose the custom domain name you want to use as a SharePoint Public Website address.

clip_image014

Create a CNAME record

Now click DNS Information and find what is suggested to add as CNAME then go to your domain manager and add a CNAME record in the DNS as per the information provided.

clip_image016

After updating DNS you can browse your site from internet using your domain name. Now we can find the Public Website as below.

clip_image018

Additional Information

To learn more, check out the following articles:

· Article 1, https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint-online-enterprise-help/set-up-a-public-website-HA102476205.aspx

· Article 2, https://onlinehelp.microsoft.com/en-us/office365-enterprises/ff637595.aspx