Graph Explorer

What is Graph Explorer?

Graph Explorer is an interactive web-based tool developed by Microsoft that allows developers, administrators, and IT professionals to explore and test the capabilities of the Microsoft Graph API. The Microsoft Graph API is a unified endpoint that provides access to a wide range of Microsoft 365 services, including Azure Active Directory, Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint, and more. Graph Explorer serves as a sandbox environment where users can execute sample queries, craft custom requests, and view real-time data from their Microsoft 365 environment.

Why Use Graph Explorer?

Graph Explorer is a valuable resource for anyone working with Microsoft 365 integrations or automation. Here's why it's widely used:

• Learning & Prototyping: Ideal for newcomers who want to understand how Microsoft Graph API works without writing code in a development environment.
• Testing Queries: Developers can test REST API calls before implementing them in scripts or applications.
• Accessing Live Data: With proper authentication, users can retrieve and manipulate live organizational data in real time.
• Troubleshooting & Debugging: Administrators can diagnose issues or verify permissions by running API queries directly.

Is Graph Explorer Free?

Yes, Graph Explorer is free to use. Anyone can access its demo environment without signing in, which offers mock data for experimentation. However, signing in with a Microsoft 365 account unlocks access to your tenant’s real-time data, allowing you to query actual users, files, messages, and more—subject to the permissions granted.

Key Features of Graph Explorer

Graph Explorer includes several powerful features:

• Query Microsoft Graph API: Run GET, POST, PATCH, PUT, and DELETE requests across different Microsoft 365 services.
• Sign-in & Permission Consent: Authenticate using organizational or personal Microsoft accounts and consent to specific Graph permissions.
• Access to Sample Queries: Choose from a library of sample queries to explore users, messages, calendars, and more.
• Custom Requests & JSON Body Input: Craft complex custom queries and include request bodies in JSON format.
• Response Viewer & Syntax Highlighting: Visualize API responses with formatting, headers, and code highlighting.
• History & Collections: Keep track of past queries or organize your frequently used requests into collections.
• Beta Endpoint Testing: Switch between v1.0 and beta endpoints for testing future Graph API capabilities.

How to Access Graph Explorer?

You can access Graph Explorer through the following methods:

1. Direct URL: Visit https://developer.microsoft.com/graph/graph-explorer.
2. Office 365 App Launcher (Nine Dots Icon):
• Sign in to office.com
• Click the app launcher (the grid of nine dots in the upper-left corner).
• Select "More" if Graph Explorer is not directly visible.
• Look for and open Graph Explorer from the expanded list.

This integration ensures quick access to the tool from your Microsoft 365 portal, enhancing ease of use for IT professionals and developers.

Summary

Key Point	Details
Product Name	Microsoft Graph Explorer
Purpose	Testing, learning, and prototyping Microsoft Graph API queries
Included In	Freely available online; integrates with Microsoft 365 environments
Free to Use?	Yes, with optional sign-in for accessing real organizational data
Access Method	Accessible via https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/graph-explorer , or via the Nine Dots > More > Graph Explorer