cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
great1
Frequent Visitor

Custom Connector for Xero - What am I missing?

Hello ladies and gents,

 

Recently (about 1 month ago), Xero  released Oauth 2 functionality to their API (previously only offering Oauth 1). Excellent! But I'm running into quite a frustrating problem regarding security and authentication when setting up a custom connector for flow. I feel like I am so close to the finishing line, but there is something in the way.

 

The application URL (required within Xero developer portal) i have stated as the address of the custom connector. Not sure how correct this is, but hey!

 

I have tried to create the custom connector within Flow (from emea.flow.microsoft.com).

 

The host address is: api.xero.com

The Base URL is: /api.xro/2.0/

 

In the security tab (tab 2) I have ensured that the redirect URI is consistent between the app settings stored in the Xero developer portal and within the security tab. It is the automatically generated URI https://global.consent.azure-apim.net/redirect which I beleive all connectors use (I may be wrong - but I cannot change this anyway as it is greyed out).

 

I am using the 'Generic Oauth 2' identity provider as there is not a Xero specific one or any other that seems sensible. 

 

Client ID and Client Secret are correct. 

 

The Authorisation URL is: https://login.xero.com/identity/connect/authorize?response_type=code&client_id=XXXXXX&state=XXXXX

 

The token URL: https://identity.xero.com/connect/token

The refresh URL: https://identity.xero.com/connect/token

 

I think the issue is when trying to establish a connection between flow and xero. On the test tab (number 4), I click on 'new connection' which opens up a small window which goes to this website (I've hashed out potentially sensitive information):

 

https://login.xero.com/identity/user/consent?returnUrl=%2Fidentity%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%...

 

presenting the familiar '<MyAppName> wants access to: user account information' and a button to 'allow access'. This screen is branded up from Xero and looks like the kind of thing you would normally expect when connecting 2 services.

 

Upon allowing access, another screen is presented at the following address:

https://authorize.xero.com/?consentId=######&returnUrl=https%3A%2F%2Flogin.xero.com%2Fidentity%2Fide...

 

The wording on screen is '<MyAppName> wants access to: organisation data'.....again nothing wrong here, it just wants to confirm more of the in-scope areas.

 

 

 All appears to be good here. Upon clicking 'continue' however, i get a message within the small window stating:

 

{"Message":"The request is invalid.","ModelState":{"consentInfo":["No consent server information was associated with this request."]}}

From this address:

https://global.consent.azure-apim.net/redirect?code=XXXXXXXXXXX&scope=accounting.transactions.read%2...XXXXXXXX

 

Meanwhile, in the background on the Test tab, the 'new connection' button is still spinning, as if it is waiting for something to happen. I wait for approximately 10 minutes and the small window closes by itself, the spinning connection icon stops spinning and the process stops there.

 

I suspect that there is something preventing Flow to accept or receive the tokens that Xero has generated and it therefore times out and the connection cannot be made.

 

finding information for a similar scenario online has proven very difficult. most examples online are where an API key is simply passed in, but Xero does not work like that.

 

i have read in some other places that you may need to use Azure to create an app to store the API and then use Azure Active Directory as the identity provider...but this was too technical for me. 

 

Any help would be very much appreciated. 

 

Perhaps now that Oauth 2 is available, a proper connector can be created by Xero. No need to make it a 'premium' connector!!! We are already paying good money for the Xero software as it is!

 

Kind regards

 

L

 

 

 

 

5 REPLIES 5
v-litu-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @great1,

 

There are some questions about Xero be frequently asked, maybe you can find some information you missed: authentication/three-legged

Maybe use Azure to create an app to store the API is a little difficult to you, you could have a try, this is a document that how to create it:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/develop/howto-create-service-principal-porta...

Best Regards,
Community Support Team _ Lin Tu
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

great1
Frequent Visitor

Thanks @v-litu-msft  for your message unfortunately I still cannot relate what was described in the guidance you provided to the issues I am having with the xero api.

Can you please provide more guidance

Thanks !

yashag2255
Super User
Super User

Hi @great1 

 

The issue here is the connection is not created because the authentication is not performed properly. Can you try to create a request using postman? If that succeeds, I would recommend you to export the Postman collection in JSON as v1 and then import this as a new custom connector. 
 
If you think, Xero should be added as a connector, you can raise an idea or upvote if exists already on: https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Flow-Ideas/idb-p/FlowIdeas
 
Hope this Helps!
 
If this reply has answered your question or solved your issue, please mark this question as answered. Answered questions helps users in the future who may have the same issue or question quickly find a resolution via search. If you liked my response, please consider giving it a thumbs up. THANKS!

hello @yashag2255 

 

yes - i have successfully created the connection in postman using the following collection:

 

https://github.com/XeroAPI/xero-postman-oauth2

 

i can call the api perfectly within postman using this. i did export the v1 collection from postman and imported into the custom connector page of ms flow, but it still cannot authenticate.

 

if i send you the collection, would you be able to see where i am going wrong please?

 

i feel like i am so close to getting this to work!

 

many thanks for your continued assistance.

 

great1

frnct
New Member

@great1 did you manage to find a solution for this in the end?

 

I am currently experiencing the same issue when trying to Authorize the custom connector with Xero.

 

Thanks

Helpful resources

Announcements

Exclusive LIVE Community Event: Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat with Copilot Studio Product Team

It's time for the SECOND Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat featuring the Copilot Studio product team, which will be held LIVE on April 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).     This is an incredible opportunity to connect with members of the Copilot Studio product team and ask them anything about Copilot Studio. We'll share our special guests with you shortly--but we want to encourage to mark your calendars now because you will not want to miss the conversation.   This live event will give you the unique opportunity to learn more about Copilot Studio plans, where we’ll focus, and get insight into upcoming features. We’re looking forward to hearing from the community, so bring your questions!   TO GET ACCESS TO THIS EXCLUSIVE AMA: Kudo this post to reserve your spot! Reserve your spot now by kudoing this post.  Reservations will be prioritized on when your kudo for the post comes through, so don't wait! Click that "kudo button" today.   Invitations will be sent on April 2nd.Users posting Kudos after April 2nd at 9AM PDT may not receive an invitation but will be able to view the session online after conclusion of the event. Give your "kudo" today and mark your calendars for April 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM PDT and join us for an engaging and informative session!

Tuesday Tip: Unlocking Community Achievements and Earning Badges

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!     THIS WEEK'S TIP: Unlocking Achievements and Earning BadgesAcross the Communities, you'll see badges on users profile that recognize and reward their engagement and contributions. These badges each signify a different achievement--and all of those achievements are available to any Community member! If you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, you too can earn badges for the great work you do. Check out some details on Community badges below--and find out more in the detailed link at the end of the article!       A Diverse Range of Badges to Collect The badges you can earn in the Community cover a wide array of activities, including: Kudos Received: Acknowledges the number of times a user’s post has been appreciated with a “Kudo.”Kudos Given: Highlights the user’s generosity in recognizing others’ contributions.Topics Created: Tracks the number of discussions initiated by a user.Solutions Provided: Celebrates the instances where a user’s response is marked as the correct solution.Reply: Counts the number of times a user has engaged with community discussions.Blog Contributor: Honors those who contribute valuable content and are invited to write for the community blog.       A Community Evolving Together Badges are not only a great way to recognize outstanding contributions of our amazing Community members--they are also a way to continue fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. As you continue to share your knowledge and assist each other these badges serve as a visual representation of your valuable contributions.   Find out more about badges in these Community Support pages in each Community: All About Community Badges - Power Apps CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Automate CommunityAll About Community Badges - Copilot Studio CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Pages Community

Tuesday Tips: Powering Up Your Community Profile

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!   This Week's Tip: Power Up Your Profile!  🚀 It's where every Community member gets their start, and it's essential that you keep it updated! Your Community User Profile is how you're able to get messages, post solutions, ask questions--and as you rank up, it's where your badges will appear and how you'll be known when you start blogging in the Community Blog. Your Community User Profile is how the Community knows you--so it's essential that it works the way you need it to! From changing your username to updating contact information, this Knowledge Base Article is your best resource for powering up your profile.     Password Puzzles? No Problem! Find out how to sync your Azure AD password with your community account, ensuring a seamless sign-in. No separate passwords to remember! Job Jumps & Email Swaps Changed jobs? Got a new email? Fear not! You'll find out how to link your shiny new email to your existing community account, keeping your contributions and connections intact. Username Uncertainties Unraveled Picking the perfect username is crucial--and sometimes the original choice you signed up with doesn't fit as well as you may have thought. There's a quick way to request an update here--but remember, your username is your community identity, so choose wisely. "Need Admin Approval" Warning Window? If you see this error message while using the community, don't worry. A simple process will help you get where you need to go. If you still need assistance, find out how to contact your Community Support team. Whatever you're looking for, when it comes to your profile, the Community Account Support Knowledge Base article is your treasure trove of tips as you navigate the nuances of your Community Profile. It’s the ultimate resource for keeping your digital identity in tip-top shape while engaging with the Power Platform Community. So, dive in and power up your profile today!  💪🚀   Community Account Support | Power Apps Community Account Support | Power AutomateCommunity Account Support | Copilot Studio  Community Account Support | Power Pages

Super User of the Month | Chris Piasecki

In our 2nd installment of this new ongoing feature in the Community, we're thrilled to announce that Chris Piasecki is our Super User of the Month for March 2024. If you've been in the Community for a while, we're sure you've seen a comment or marked one of Chris' helpful tips as a solution--he's been a Super User for SEVEN consecutive seasons!   Since authoring his first reply in April 2020 to his most recent achievement organizing the Canadian Power Platform Summit this month, Chris has helped countless Community members with his insights and expertise. In addition to being a Super User, Chris is also a User Group leader, Microsoft MVP, and a featured speaker at the Microsoft Power Platform Conference. His contributions to the new SUIT program, along with his joyous personality and willingness to jump in and help so many members has made Chris a fixture in the Power Platform Community.   When Chris isn't authoring solutions or organizing events, he's actively leading Piasecki Consulting, specializing in solution architecture, integration, DevOps, and more--helping clients discover how to strategize and implement Microsoft's technology platforms. We are grateful for Chris' insightful help in the Community and look forward to even more amazing milestones as he continues to assist so many with his great tips, solutions--always with a smile and a great sense of humor.You can find Chris in the Community and on LinkedIn. Thanks for being such a SUPER user, Chris! 💪 🌠  

Tuesday Tips: Community Ranks and YOU

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!This Week: Community Ranks--Moving from "Member" to "Community Champion"   Have you ever wondered how your fellow community members ascend the ranks within our community? What sets apart an Advocate from a Helper, or a Solution Sage from a Community Champion? In today’s #TuesdayTip, we’re unveiling the secrets and sharing tips to help YOU elevate your ranking—and why it matters to our vibrant communities. Community ranks serve as a window into a member’s role and activity. They celebrate your accomplishments and reveal whether someone has been actively contributing and assisting others. For instance, a Super User is someone who has been exceptionally helpful and engaged. Some ranks even come with special permissions, especially those related to community management. As you actively participate—whether by creating new topics, providing solutions, or earning kudos—your rank can climb. Each time you achieve a new rank, you’ll receive an email notification. Look out for the icon and rank name displayed next to your username—it’s a badge of honor! Fun fact: Your Community Engagement Team keeps an eye on these ranks, recognizing the most passionate and active community members. So shine brightly with valuable content, and you might just earn well-deserved recognition! Where can you see someone’s rank? When viewing a post, you’ll find a member’s rank to the left of their name.Click on a username to explore their profile, where their rank is prominently displayed. What about the ranks themselves? New members start as New Members, progressing to Regular Visitors, and then Frequent Visitors.Beyond that, we have a categorized system: Kudo Ranks: Earned through kudos (teal icons).Post Ranks: Based on your posts (purple icons).Solution Ranks: Reflecting your solutions (green icons).Combo Ranks: These orange icons combine kudos, solutions, and posts. The top ranks have unique names, making your journey even more exciting! So dive in, collect those kudos, share solutions, and let’s see how high you can rank!  🌟 🚀   Check out the Using the Community boards in each of the communities for more helpful information!  Power Apps, Power Automate, Copilot Studio & Power Pages

Find Out What Makes Super Users So Super

We know many of you visit the Power Platform Communities to ask questions and receive answers. But do you know that many of our best answers and solutions come from Community members who are super active, helping anyone who needs a little help getting unstuck with Business Applications products? We call these dedicated Community members Super Users because they are the real heroes in the Community, willing to jump in whenever they can to help! Maybe you've encountered them yourself and they've solved some of your biggest questions. Have you ever wondered, "Why?"We interviewed several of our Super Users to understand what drives them to help in the Community--and discover the difference it has made in their lives as well! Take a look in our gallery today: What Motivates a Super User? - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)

Top Solution Authors
Users online (6,026)