UNABLE to Add Site and/or List fields

[icooooooooooooo]

What type of issue is this?

Question

What SharePoint development model, framework, SDK or API is this about?

💥 SharePoint Framework

Target SharePoint environment

SharePoint Online

What browser(s) / client(s) have you tested

• 💥 Internet Explorer
• 💥 Microsoft Edge
• 💥 Google Chrome
• 💥 FireFox
• 💥 Safari
• mobile (iOS/iPadOS)
• mobile (Android)
• not applicable
• other (enter in the "Additional environment details" area below)

Additional environment details

IDE - MS Visual studio
PnP framework - latest
SharePoint version - Online

Issue description

Hi all,

I hope this is where such questions are to be asked.

I am doing a proof of concept, where I need to programmatically add a file with the corresponding metadata(All custom columns).

I am capable of adding metadata into manually created fields, but I cannot add the Fields via the PnP Framework. I used this for reference - https://pnp.github.io/pnpcore/using-the-sdk/fields-add.html

Once I try to create the new field:
IField myField = await myList.Fields.AddTextAsync("Test New Field", new FieldTextOptions()
{
InternalName = "Test New Field",
Group = "Custom Fields",
AddToDefaultView = true,
MaxLength = 30
});

I am receiving an error:
Unhandled exception. HttpResponseCode: 403
Code: System.UnauthorizedAccessException
Message: Access is denied. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070005 (E_ACCESSDENIED))

I can confirm that I can create manually the fields and in both the Azura Portal and Entra I am with the highest possible admin type. Further I am the owner of the Site and List, so I would guess I am not building the myList variable properly. I am reaching to this conclusion as in the article itself the myList is simply used and not explained.

What I use for myList in my code is context.Web.Lists.GetByTitle("Test List"); and the context is enough for all other actions.

Please advise.

[Amey-MSFT]

Hello @icooooooooooooo,
Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. We will look into it and get back to you shortly.

[Amey-MSFT]

Hello @icooooooooooooo,
When working with PnP Core SDK, after retrieving the list using GetByTitle, make sure you're explicitly loading the required properties before performing operations on it. Also, the 403 error often suggests missing permissions in the context of the Microsoft Graph or app registration—not just SharePoint role-based access.

Try the following pattern:
var list = await context.Web.Lists.GetByTitleAsync("Test List", p => p.Fields);

This ensures the Fields collection is properly loaded. Also, verify that the app registration used has Sites.Manage.All and Sites.FullControl.All permissions granted and consented in Azure AD.

Docs for reference:
Field creation: https://pnp.github.io/pnpcore/using-the-sdk/fields-add
Permissions guide: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/dev/solution-guidance/security-apponly-azuread

Let me know if further help is required.
Thanks!!

[Amey-MSFT]

We are closing this issue for now. If the problem persists, feel free to reopen it or open a new one.