Configure Data Attributes via Configuration File

This document explains what the Data Attributes JSON configuration file contains and how to upload and activate it in the eSHARE Admin Console. The following topics will be reviewed:

• What the Configuration File Controls

• Prerequisites

• Step 1 — Navigate to Data Attributes

• Step 2 — Upload the Configuration File

• Step 3 — Activate the Configuration

• Step 4 — Download a Configuration Version

REQUIREMENT:

The person performing these steps must have an eSHARE Administrator role.

What the Configuration File Controls

The Data Attributes feature in eSHARE allows users to apply classification markings to documents and emails directly from within Microsoft Office applications and Outlook. When a user selects a marking option in the Data Attributes panel, eSHARE automatically stamps the corresponding text into the header and/or footer of the document or email. This feature — including which options are displayed to users, what text gets stamped, and which attributes appear for each sensitivity label — is entirely controlled by a JSON configuration file uploaded by an administrator in the Admin Console.

The configuration file is a JSON file that defines four things:

• Attributes — the options users see: Each attribute is a dropdown in the Data Attributes panel. For each attribute you define: a name (for example: Intellectual Property, Customer Data, Export Control, CUI, PII, etc.); static values — fixed options always shown (for example: Yes, No, None, ITAR, etc.); and whether dynamic values are enabled — if set to true, the display names of Azure AD groups configured under Azure AD User Groups → Data Attributes also appear as selectable options for that attribute.

• Markings — what gets stamped: For each attribute value, the configuration defines exactly what text is written into the header and footer of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. For example: Intellectual Property = Yes → inserts "Propietary: Contains Intellectual Property" in both the header and footer across all applications; Export Control = ITAR → stamps the full ITAR legal disclaimer in the footer; Export Control = None → stamps nothing. The {sensitivity_level} placeholder is supported — eSHARE substitutes this automatically with the human-readable description of the document's Purview sensitivity label, as defined in the sensitivity_level_map section of the configuration file (for example: "SENSITIVE - authorized distribution only").

• Composition rules — how multiple markings combine: When a user selects multiple attributes simultaneously, the composition rules define the order in which they appear and the separator between them. For example: Intellectual Property footer first, then CUI footer, then Export Control footer, each separated by a new line.

• Label groups — which attributes appear per sensitivity label: For each Purview sensitivity label, the configuration defines which attributes are shown to the user (for example, a lower-sensitivity label may only show one option, while a higher-sensitivity label shows Intellectual Property, CUI, and Export Control); a legal warning message shown if existing markings are about to be overwritten; and whether sending is blocked until markings are applied.

{
  "attributes": [
    {
      "id": "ip_marking",
      "name": "IP Marking",
      "static_values": ["None", "Proprietary"],
      "dynamic_values_enabled": true
    }
  ],
  "markings": {
    "ip_marking": {
      "rules": [
        {
          "match": "None",
          "apps": {
            "word": { "header": "", "footer": "" },
            "outlook": { "header": "", "footer": "" }
          }
        },
        {
          "match": "Proprietary",
          "apps": {
            "word": { "header": "", "footer": "Proprietary: {sensitivity_level}" },
            "outlook": { "header": "", "footer": "Proprietary: {sensitivity_level}" }
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  },
  "composition_rules": {
    "footer_order": ["ip_marking"],
    "separator": "\n"
  },
  "sensitivity_level_map": {
    "your-purview-label-guid-here": "SENSITIVE - authorized distribution only"
  },
  "label_groups": [
    {
      "label": "your-purview-label-guid-here",
      "selected_attributes": ["ip_marking"]
    }
  ]
}

Prerequisites

• You must have an eSHARE Administrator role.

• A valid Data Attributes JSON configuration file must be prepared and ready to upload. Contact your eSHARE Customer Success Manager if you need a template or assistance building the file.

Step 1 — Navigate to Data Attributes

1. In the eSHARE Admin Console, select 'Data Attributes' from the left navigation panel.

Step 2 — Upload the Configuration File

1. Click the 'Upload Configuration File' button at the top of the page.

2. Select your JSON configuration file and confirm the upload.

The file will appear in the version list with a status of 'Inactive'. It will not take effect until it is activated.

Step 3 — Activate the Configuration

1. Once the file appears in the list, click 'Activate' next to the version you want to make live.

The status will change to 'Active'. This version is now applied across all users in your organization. The Data Attributes panel in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook will reflect the options and marking rules defined in this file.

Note:

Only one version can be active at a time. Previous versions remain in the list and can be reactivated at any time if you need to roll back a change.

Step 4 — Download a Configuration Version

1. To download any previously uploaded configuration file, click the download arrow on the right side of the version row.

This is useful for reviewing an existing configuration or using it as a base for your next version.