Bryan Phillips and Jason Graham Composable Systems, LLC
http://bphillips76.spaces.live.com
http://jasonAgraham.spaces.live.com
Sites
Contain all your content.
Lists
Store table-like data.
Document Libraries
Store documents.
SharePoint Designer
The tool to use for advanced customization. Meant for power users, but EVERY developer needs to know how to use it.
Combination of files stored on the web server's file system and files stored in the SharePoint content database.
Setup Lists Pages Document Library
Versioning Approval
Pages Document Library
Versioning – Like source control. Keeps configurable number of versions. Approval – Prevents documents from being viewed before someone can review and approve them. This includes ASPX pages too. Watch out for this GOTCHA:
Using SPD, create custom pages in the List folder that you are working with, then move them into the Pages doc lib We have found that the FormView (discussed later) will only generate controls for the doc lib and not the list you are binding to
How to Create a Page
In SPD, right click on List folder and go to New > ASPX Add @ Registers:
<%@ Register Tagprefix="SharePoint" Namespace="Microsoft.SharePoint.WebControls" Assembly="Microsoft.SharePoint, Version=12.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=71e9bce111e9429c" %> <%@ Register Tagprefix="Utilities" Namespace="Microsoft.SharePoint.Utilities" Assembly="Microsoft.SharePoint, Version=12.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=71e9bce111e9429c" %> <%@ Import Namespace="Microsoft.SharePoint" %> <%@ Register Tagprefix="WebPartPages" Namespace="Microsoft.SharePoint.WebPartPages" Assembly="Microsoft.SharePoint, Version=12.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=71e9bce111e9429c" %>
Combination of Controls
ASP.Net Controls SharePoint Controls Usually CRUD, but doesn't have to be
What makes a custom SharePoint page work? There are many options, but here is what we do:
SharePoint:SPDataSource
To bind the Form to Lists
asp:FormView
To display Data and create Controls on the form
One Gotcha for custom SharePoint Pages:
You may see an error that says, "The security validation for this page is invalid" on pages not using default.master IF Web Page Security is turned ON To fix this, add a
after the form tag
Gives functionality for Adding, Updating, Deleting, and Reading SharePoint List Items Can be added from the "Data Source Library" Pane Important Attributes:
DataSourceMode
First, use "ListItem" to generate the fields. Finally, use "List" to avoid errors.
SelectCommand
Can enter CAML with "CDATA" tags or HTML encoded text U2U CAML Builder – For your own sanity's sake, do NOT create CAML without it.
Parameters
Select, Insert, Update, Delete All have
tags in them
Important Attributes Name = "ListName" DefaultValue = "The Actual List Name"
DefaultValue="JobDescriptions"/>
DefaultValue="JobDescriptions"/>
DefaultValue="JobDescriptions"/>
DefaultValue="JobDescriptions"/>
Generates ASP.Net controls for each of the fields in your list.
Delete the ones you don't need
Automatically sets up bindings to list fields Controls can be moved around as necessary *within* their parent Template tag. Important Attributes
DataSourceID = The ID of the SPDataSource DefaultMode = Edit, Insert, or ReadOnly
Automatically generates three templates: InsertItemTemplate (Insert) EditItemTemplate (Edit) ItemTemplate (ReadOnly) Generates asp:TextBox for every field (except in ReadOnly mode)—change the type of control as needed
< InsertItemTemplate> YOUR CONTROLS GO HERE, INCLUDING SAVE BUTTONS
Create ASP.Net Page
asp:Button – At least one needed to save the user's data. asp:DropDownList, asp:ListBox etc… SharePoint:FormField – Use to display SharePoint control templates (e.g. PeoplePicker). Validation Controls – Validate your user data or SharePoint WILL throw an exception.
Important Attributes:
CommandName = Insert, Update, or Delete CausesValidation = true or false
Redirecting the browser
You have to redirect the browser yourself or your form will simply reload after updating the list At least Two ways:
JavaScript Use "Source" Query String variable, if you will always control access to the URL of the page
Can be populated from another list to act as a "lookup" Important Attributes
DataSourceID = The SPDataSource used to populate the DropDownList/ListBox DataTextField = The field to pull the text from DataValueField = The field to pull the value from (ID) SelectedValue='<%# Bind("FieldName") %>'
The SPDataSource that the FormField is bound to controls the List that will receive the info
Generates difficult SharePoint controls for you
People Pickers Rich Text Controls
Important Attributes:
FieldName = Which field to generate a control for ControlMode = Options are New, Edit, and Display ListId = GUID for the list that the field is located in Value='<%# Bind("FieldName") %>'
CSS Styles
May not appear as expected Tools to find CSS Styles:
IE Developer Toolbar – (Built into IE 8) Firebug – (Plug-in for FireFox, Lite version for IE, Opera)
Generate multiple HTML Controls
View HTML to get true control names for validation and JavaScript manipulation
Asp:RequiredFieldValidator Asp:ValidationSummary The "ValidationGroup" attribute
Marks a control for validation One for each control to validate Important Attributes:
ControlToValidate = Name of Control ErrorMessage = Message displayed in ValidationSummary Text = Message to be displayed where RequiredFieldValidator exists ValidationGroup = Name of Validation Group
Displays validation info to user (error messages) One for each ValidationGroup Important Attributes:
HeaderText = Text to be displayed above error messages DisplayMode = BulletList (Default), List, SingleParagraph EnableClientScript
True—renders client side script to update this control False—allows it to only update on a round trip to the server
ValidationGroup = The name of the ValidationGroup
FINALLY: On the button that you are using to Insert or Edit with: Include an attribute for ValidationGroup="MyGroup"
Adding Validation
DEMO if time permits Could be a talk all on its own Utilize the "IF" conditional branches to avoid infinite loops
Bryan Phillips
http://bphillips76.spaces.live.com
Jason Graham
http://jasonAgraham.spaces.live.com
Composable Systems, LLC
www.ComposableSystems.net