Spendesk supports three login methods: Google authentication, Microsoft Connect, and SAML SSO. Each user is assigned one login method that determines how they access their account.
For: all roles (Requester, Controller, Administrator, Account Owner).
Before you start
Requirement | Details |
Roles | Available to all roles |
Plan | Google authentication and Microsoft Connect are available on all plans. SAML SSO is available on the Premium plan only |
Setup | SAML SSO must be activated by Spendesk before use |
Email match | For SAML SSO, your email address must match between Spendesk and your company's identity provider |
🔒 Access: SAML SSO is a paid feature available on the Premium plan. To activate it, contact your account manager or support@spendesk.com.
Sign in with Google authentication
Google authentication lets you access Spendesk with your existing Google account.
Benefits:
You do not need to remember a separate Spendesk password.
You connect to Spendesk in two clicks.
Steps:
Go to the Spendesk login page.
Click Continue with Google.
Select your Google account or enter your Google credentials.
Complete sign-in.
⚠️ Warning: If you created your account with Google authentication, no password was ever set for it. You cannot log in with an email address and password unless Spendesk resets your login method (see Switch your login method below).
Sign in with Microsoft Connect
Microsoft Connect lets you access Spendesk with your Office 365 or Microsoft account.
Benefit:
You access your Spendesk account through your Microsoft account with a single click.
Steps:
Go to the Spendesk login page.
Click Continue with Microsoft.
Enter your Microsoft credentials in the pop-up window.
Complete sign-in.
⚠️ Warning: If your account is linked to Microsoft Connect, password reset emails from Spendesk will not work. Manage your password directly through your Microsoft account.
Log in with SAML SSO
If your company uses SAML SSO, your login options depend on whether your Administrator or Account Owner has enabled Forced SAML:
Forced SAML setting | Login options available |
Enabled | SAML SSO only |
Not enabled | SAML SSO, Google authentication, Microsoft Connect, or email and password |
Steps:
Go to the Spendesk login page.
Click Continue with SSO.
Enter the email address linked to your identity provider.
Complete sign-in through your company's identity provider (for example, Okta or OneLogin).
👥 Roles: Only Administrators and Account Owners can enable or enforce SAML SSO for the whole company.
Switch your login method
You cannot switch your own login method (for example, from Google authentication back to email and password) from your profile settings. Once you sign in with Google, Microsoft Connect, or SAML SSO, that method becomes your assigned login method.
To switch your login method:
Contact support@spendesk.com and ask to reset your login method.
Wait for confirmation that the reset is complete.
Go to the Spendesk login page and click Forgot password? to set a new password.
⚠️ Warning: After a reset, clicking Continue with Google or Continue with Microsoft again automatically re-links your account to that SSO method.
Troubleshooting
Symptom: "Unknown error: the operation couldn't be completed" when trying to sign in with Microsoft or Google.
Cause: The account is linked to an SSO method but the sign-in flow was interrupted, or app access permissions are restricted on the device.
Resolution:
Confirm you are using the same login method your account was created with.
Retry sign-in from a different browser or device.
If the issue persists, contact support@spendesk.com with your company name and the exact error message.
Symptom: Password reset emails are never received.
Cause: The account is linked to Google authentication, Microsoft Connect, or SAML SSO, so Spendesk does not manage the password.
Resolution:
Check which login method is assigned to your account.
If it is Google or Microsoft, log in through Continue with Google or Continue with Microsoft instead of resetting a password.
If it is SAML SSO, reset your password through your company's identity provider.
Symptom: Unable to log in with SAML SSO and no password reset option is available.
Cause: SAML SSO does not use a Spendesk-managed password.
Resolution:
On the Choose a way to authenticate screen, select Lost access to your authentication method?
Ask your Account Owner or Administrator to generate a recovery code from Settings > Organisation > Members > [select the member] > Edit profile > Security > Generate a recovery code.
Use the recovery code to complete sign-in.
FAQ
What happens if I forget my password?
If you use Google authentication, Microsoft Connect, or SAML SSO, you do not need a Spendesk password. For email and password login, use Forgot password? on the login page.
Can I switch from Google authentication to email and password login?
Not on your own. Contact support@spendesk.com to request a login method reset, then use Forgot password? to set a password.
How do I enable SAML SSO for my team?
SAML SSO requires activation on the Premium plan. Contact your account manager or support@spendesk.com.
What if my email doesn't match between Spendesk and my identity provider?
Update your email address in Spendesk, or ask your company's IT administrator to align the addresses. Email address changes require approval from an Administrator or Account Owner.