Create a form processing model in Microsoft SharePoint Syntex

Using AI Builder - a feature in Microsoft Power Apps - SharePoint Syntex users can create a form processing model directly from a SharePoint document library.

Creating a form processing model involves the following steps:

• Step 1: Create a form processing model
• Step 2: Add and analyze documents
• Step 3: Tag fields and tables
• Step 4: Train and publish your model
• Step 5: Use your model

Requirements

You can only create a form processing model in SharePoint document libraries for which it's enabled. If form processing is enabled, you're able to see the Automate > AI Builder > Create a model to process forms menu in your document library. If you need processing enabled on your document library, you must contact your SharePoint administrator.

Step 1: Create a form processing model

The first step in creating a form processing model is to name the model, define the new content type, and create a new document library view for it.

1. From the document library, select the Automate menu, select AI Builder, and then select Create a model to process forms.

   

2. In the Create a model to process forms panel, in the Name field, type a name for your model (for example, Purchase Orders).

   

3. You can now automatically extract and save information from a collection of structured files that share a similar layout—such as invoices or tax documents—that are in a SharePoint document library. This lets you compose several models into a single model and extract specific table item information.

   The collection name is saved to a dedicated column in the document library where the model is applied, which allows you to distinguish different file layouts processed by the same model.

   In addition, the extracted table information is saved to a specified list and associated with the uploaded file for easy viewing or for additional business process automation.

   To extract table information to an associated list:
   
   

   1. In the Extract info from tables? section, select Yes.

   

   2. In the Where should we save table info? section:

      • If you select A new list (the default setting), a suggested name is automatically provided in the New list name box. You can modify the name if you want to. If you want to show the list in the site navigation, select the Show in site navigation checkbox.

      • If you select An existing list, in the Selected list box, choose the list you want to use.

4. When you create a form processing model, you create a new SharePoint content type. A SharePoint content type represents a category of documents that have common characteristics and share a collection of columns or metadata properties for that particular content. SharePoint content types are managed through the SharePoint admin center.

   To map this model to an existing content type in the SharePoint content types gallery, select Advanced settings.

   

   1. In the Content type section, choose whether to create a new content type or to use an existing one.

   2. To use an existing content type, select Select one, and choose a content type from the list.

   3. Your model creates a new view in your document library for your extracted data. If you don't want it to be the default view, in the Library view for this model section, clear the Set the view as default checkbox.

   4. To apply a retention label to your files, in the Retention label section, select the retention label you want to use.

5. Select Create.

Step 2: Add and analyze documents

After you create your new form processing model, your browser opens a new Power Apps AI Builder forms processing model page. On this page, you can add and analyze your example documents.

1. You first define the fields and tables you want to teach your model to extract on the Choose information to extract page. For detailed steps, see Define fields and tables to extract.

2. You can create as many collections of document layouts you want your model to process. For detailed steps, see Group documents by collections.

3. After you create your collections and add the example files for each, AI Builder will examine the uploaded documents to detect the fields and tables. This usually takes a few minutes. When the analysis is complete, you can proceed with tagging the documents.

Step 3: Tag fields and tables

You need to tag the documents to teach the model to understand the fields and table data you want to extract. For detailed steps, see Tag documents.

Step 4: Train and publish your model

1. After you create and train your model, you're ready to publish it and use it in SharePoint. For detailed steps, see Train and publish your form processing model.

2. After the model is published, select Use model, and then select Create flow. This creates a Power Automate flow that can run in your SharePoint document library and that extracts the fields that have been identified in the model.

   

3. When completed, you'll see the message: Your flow was successfully created.

   

4. Select the Go to SharePoint button to see the document library updated with your model.

Step 5: Use your model

1. In the document library model view, notice that the fields you selected now display as columns.

   

2. Notice that the information link next to Documents notes that a forms processing model is applied to this document library.

   

3. Upload files to your document library. Any files that the model identifies as its content type lists the files in your view and displays the extracted data in the columns.

   

See Also

Power Automate documentation

Training: Improve business performance with AI Builder