Converting ASP.Net Web App Into Provider-Hosted App Using Visual Studio

Introduction

In this article you will see how to convert an ASP.NET Web Application into a Provider-Hosted App using Visual Studio 2013.

Sign up for an Office 365 Developer Site

Be sure you have access to an Office 365 Developer Site. Here are three ways to get one:

• Are you an MSDN subscriber? Visual Studio Ultimate and Visual Studio Premium with MSDN subscribers receive an Office 365 Developer Subscription as a benefit. Redeem your benefit today.
  
• Do you have one of the following Office 365 subscription plans?
  
  - Office 365 Midsize Business
  - Office 365 Enterprise E1, E3, E4, or K1
  - Office 365 Education A2, A3, or A4
  - Office 365 Government G1, G3, G4, or K1
  
  If so, you can provision a Developer Site from the Office 365 admin center. For more information, see How to: Create a Developer Site within your existing Office 365 subscription.
  
• You can either start with a free 30-day trial, or buy an Office 365 developer subscription (with one user license for either option) using one of the following links. This subscription costs $99.00 per year.

Please refer to Sign up for an Office 365 Developer Subscription and set up your tools and environment for more details.

Sign up for an Azure trial subscription

Be sure you have access to a Windows Azure. Here is the way to get the trial subscription:

• Navigate to the Azure Portal.
• If prompted, log in using the credentials you created for your O365 subscription.
• After logging in, you should see a screen notifying you that you do not have a subscription.
• Click Sign Up for Windows Azure.
• Fill out the form to obtain your free trial.
• You should provide the credit card details to register but it will not be charged.

Create an ASP.NET Web Application using Visual Studio 2013

• Open Visual Studio 2013.
• Click on File => New => Project.

• Select “ASP.NET Web Application” from installed templates, enter the name for the web application and then click on the OK button.

• Select “MVC” and then click on the “Ok” button.

• Be sure you have signed in with Azure credentials and the region is selected. Click on the Ok button.

• Right-click on the project in the Solution Explorer, click on Convert and then click on Convert to App for SharePoint Project.

• Enter the Office 365 developer site URL for debugging and then click on the Finish button.

• Creating the SharePoint app project.

• The SharePoint App project is created successfully.

Deploy and test the app

• Hit F5 to deploy.
• The Office 365 developer site is opened, click on the Trust It button.

• The App is opened successfully as shown below.

Summary

Thus in this article you have seen how to convert an ASP.NET Web Application into a Provider-Hosted App using Visual Studio 2013.