Creating New Page Layouts

Usually sharepoint page layouts will work out in most of the requirements but what you will do if it does not meet your requirements you will have to create your own page layouts for use on the site

Creating page layout is accomplished in five steps

1. Define Site Columns
2. Define site Content Type
3. Create Page layout
4. Edit Page Layout
5. Publish and Approve Page Layout

I am going to create a new page layout called Activity page for demo, the main job of this is just to collect activity information from the administrator when it is in Edit mode and it displays data to the end user when it is in publishing mode

First i am going to define site columns these columns are directly mapped to the layout field controls on page

Define Site Columns

Site column is nothing but a reusable column that you can use in mulitple lists across multiple sites

Creating Site Column

1. Open SharePoint Site
2. Got to Site Actions
3. Site Settings
4. Galleries
5. Site Columns
6. Create
7. Enter the Activity Name under Column name textbox
8. Select type of column
9. Create new group called Activity group
10 . Select yes for require that this column contains information
11. i have taken default values for remining two which are Maximum number of charactersa and default value
12. click Ok

Repeat same steps for creating remaining site columns which are listed below

Activity Image - select type to image
Activity Description - select type to multiplie lines
Activity Workflow - select ype to image
Trainings - select type to single text

I hope that you are succesfully created remaining sitecoulmns our next step is creating Site Content Type

1. Open SharePoint Site
2. Got to Site Actions
3. Site Settings
4. Galleries
5. Site Content Types
6. Create

Please have a look into screenshot for remainig steps

Our next step is to create new Page Layout

1. Open SharePoint Site
2. Got to Site Actions
3. Site Settings
4. Galleries
5. Master pages and page layouts
6. Create



Follow the screen shot for remaining steps






Next, we have to edit the page layout using sharepoint designer



Go to Start -> Programs -> Microsoft Office -> Microsoft Office SharePoint Desinger2007 -> File -> Open Site... -> Enter site url


You can see checked-out activity page under master page gallery refer below screen shot






You can see all site coumns under Content Fields Section just drag and drop Activity Name ,Activity Descrption, Activity Workflow, activty Image and Trainings on to activity page

Next, just right click on activity page and click on check-in and select publish a major version

Next, click on yes

After clicking yes you will be automatically redirected to Master Page Gallery there you can find all pending files to approve

For approvning these files you should have a approvel permissons then right click on activity page and click on Approve/Reject link

It will open a new page with approved, rejected and pending options just click approved radio button and give proper comments and clikc on ok

We are successfully created new page layout our next step is to create a new page using this page layout

Site Actions -> Create Page

Now you can see "Activity page layout" under layout drop down list. Fill Title and URL name textboxes and click on create button you will get a new page with place holders just populate with data and click on publish button

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I found something that when i bind SPGridView using SharePoint object model.
The strange thing is that if I use this code everything works fine

SPDataSource dataSource = GetTravelExpenses();
string sCommand = @"<Query><Where>
<Eq>
<FieldRef Name='Travel_x0020_Request' />
<Value Type='Lookup'>" + ddlTravelRequest.SelectedItem.Text + "</Value> </Eq> </Where></Query>";
dataSource.SelectCommand = sCommand;
spGrid.DataSource = dataSource;
spGrid.DataBind();

But when I use this code the CAML query is failing to get data from Travel Request List

SPDataSource dataSource = GetTravelExpenses();
string sCommand = @"<Where>
<Eq>
<FieldRef Name='Travel_x0020_Request' />
<Value Type='Lookup'>" + ddlTravelRequest.SelectedItem.Text + "</Value> </Eq> </Where>";
dataSource.SelectCommand = sCommand;
spGrid.DataSource = dataSource;
spGrid.DataBind();

I found the reason that the <Query></Query> element is missing in the second scenario finally I decided to check this with SPQuery i was shocked that everything works fine

SPQuery query = new SPQuery();
query.Query = @"<Where>
<Eq>
<FieldRef Name='Travel_x0020_Request' />
<Value Type='Lookup'>" + ddlTravelRequest.SelectedItem.Text + "</Value> </Eq> </Where>";

My question is why SPDataSource.SelectCommand is failing to get data from Travel Request List when i use CAML query without <Query></Query> element

If anybody knows answer please…………. share with me…

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Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010

Microsoft is going to release Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 to get more knowledge on this click here

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IE Crashes when ever my client check-out a file from document library

Today morning my client has come up with a problem that when he tries to check-out or check-in a document from a document library, he was getting strange error message, the IE was not able to open Word document, that too it was coming only for few employees

After seeing end user environment details i find out that they have installed offcie2003 along with office 2007 on same computer

Usually this problem occurs when you install one or more 2007 Office system programs on the computer along with office2003.

Microsoft provides Hot-fix for this problem you can download it using this link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938888

After installing this hot-fix everything works fine

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SharePoint Media Streaming WebPart

Recently I have implemented media streaming web part (YouTube technology) for one of my client, I would like to share this with you guys

This I have developed for one of my client so, I am not going to share code with you guys.

Media streaming web part uses windows media server for playing media files because It is especially useful for streaming large amounts of data over busy, congested networks and low-bandwidth connections. Streaming uses bandwidth more efficiently than downloading because it sends data over the network only at the speed that is necessary for the client to render it correctly. This helps prevent the network from becoming overloaded and helps maintain system reliability.

If you want to know more about windows media server please refer this article http://learn.iis.net/page.aspx/454/windows-media-server-or-web-server/

I have created two features one is for Media template another one is media steaming webpart.

Media Template

This is just list definition for storing media files

Media steaming web part

The job of this is to read file from windows media server and play it on windows media player

Steps

First install media features and activate it

Go to Site Actions -> Site Settings-> under Site Administration -> Site libraries and lists -> Create new content - > select Media Library template ->Give the name of template and click create

Just upload media files in to media library the Mediamanager class will take care of rest

Then go to media home page and add media streaming webpart, it will automatically plays media file using streaming technique

Mail me if anybody wants get more knowledge on this.

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Integrating ASP.NET AJAX in SharePoint

Recently I have done some R&D that is how we can integrate ASP.NET AJAX in SharePoint, here are some steps to make it work

Adding Microsoft ASP.NET AJAX Technology to SharePoint Pages

To implement ASP.NET AJAX in SharePoint you will need to perform few steps.

First, you need to download and install ASP.NET AJAX on all front-end servers.
Second, you need to change web.config with some settings to enable AJAX functionality.
Third, you need to add the ASP.NET AJAX Script Manager control into your master page.

Creating AJAX based Web parts

You can implement AJAX by using Javascript but coordinating between server and client to update only specified parts of a Web page usually requires in-depth knowledge of ECMAScript (JavaScript). However, by using the UpdatePanel control, you can enable a Web page to participate in partial-page updates without writing any client script. When you use an UpdatePanel control, the page behavior is browser independent and can potentially reduce the amount of data that is transferred between client and server.

When you send a request to the server only the particular UpdatPanel region will be sent to server. The entire page will not be refreshed.

The following code is sample code to create AJAX based web part, Here I have taken rating control from AJAX Control Tool Kit.

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Web;
using System.Threading;
using System.Web.UI;
using System.Web.UI.WebControls;
using System.Web.UI.WebControls.WebParts;
using AjaxControlToolkit;
namespace AjaxRatingControlPart
{
public class AjaxRatingControl : WebPart
{
Rating rating = null;
UpdatePanel upDatePanel = null;
Label lblresult = null;
Button btnSubmit = null;
public AjaxRatingControl()
{
}
protected override void CreateChildControls()
{
btnSubmit = new Button();
btnSubmit.ID = "btnSubmmit"; ;
btnSubmit.Text = "Submit";
btnSubmit.Click += new EventHandler(btnSubmit_Click);
lblresult = new Label();
upDatePanel = new UpdatePanel();
upDatePanel.ID = "UpdatePanel1";
upDatePanel.ChildrenAsTriggers = true;
upDatePanel.UpdateMode = UpdatePanelUpdateMode.Conditional;
this.Controls.Add(upDatePanel);

rating = new Rating();
rating.CurrentRating = 2;
rating.MaxRating = 5;
rating.ID = "testRating";
rating.BehaviorID = "ratingId";
rating.RatingDirection = RatingDirection.RightToLeftBottomToTop;
rating.StarCssClass = "ratingStar";
rating.WaitingStarCssClass = "savedRatingStar";
rating.FilledStarCssClass = "filledRatingStar";
rating.EmptyStarCssClass = "emptyRatingStar";
rating.Changed += new RatingEventHandler(rating_Changed);
upDatePanel.ContentTemplateContainer.Controls.Add(rating);
this.Controls.Add(rating);
this.Controls.Add(lblresult);
this.Controls.Add(btnSubmit);
}

void btnSubmit_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{

lblresult.Text = "You have selected " + rating.CurrentRating + "."; ;
//throw new NotImplementedException();
}

void rating_Changed(object sender, RatingEventArgs e)
{
lblresult.Text = "You have selected " + rating.CurrentRating + "."; ;
}
protected override void RenderContents(HtmlTextWriter writer)
{
rating.RenderControl(writer);
upDatePanel.RenderControl(writer);
lblresult.RenderControl(writer);
btnSubmit.RenderControl(writer);
}

}
}


Installing AJAX on front-end servers

If you are using VS2005, You need to download and install <a href="http://www.asp.net/ajax/downloads/">http://www.asp.net/ajax/downloads/</a> from here

If you are using VS2008 no need to download ASP.NET AJAX. By default VS2008 has built in ASP.NET AJAX controls and libraries

Modifying web.config to enable AJAX functionality.

Open web.config under "D:\Inetpub\wwwroot\wss\VirtualDirectories\80" folder
Add <sectiongroup>element within <configsections></configsections>tag:

<sectiongroup type="System.Web.Configuration.SystemWebExtensionsSectionGroup, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" name="system.web.extensions">
<sectiongroup type="System.Web.Configuration.ScriptingSectionGroup, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" name="scripting">
<section type="System.Web.Configuration.ScriptingScriptResourceHandlerSection, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" name="scriptResourceHandler" requirepermission="false" allowdefinition="MachineToApplication">
<sectiongroup type="System.Web.Configuration.ScriptingWebServicesSectionGroup, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" name="webServices">
<section type="System.Web.Configuration.ScriptingJsonSerializationSection, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" name="jsonSerialization" requirepermission="false" allowdefinition="Everywhere">
<section type="System.Web.Configuration.ScriptingProfileServiceSection, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" name="profileService" requirepermission="false" allowdefinition="MachineToApplication">
<section type="System.Web.Configuration.ScriptingAuthenticationServiceSection, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" name="authenticationService" requirepermission="false" allowdefinition="MachineToApplication">
<section type="System.Web.Configuration.ScriptingRoleServiceSection, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" name="roleService" requirepermission="false" allowdefinition="MachineToApplication">
</sectiongroup>
</sectiongroup>
</sectiongroup>


Add <assemblies>within <assemblies></assemblies>tag:

<add assembly="System.Data.DataSetExtensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=B77A5C561934E089">
<add assembly="System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35">

Add <controls>with in <pages>tag:

<controls><add assembly="System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" namespace="System.Web.UI" tagprefix="asp">
<add assembly="System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" namespace="System.Web.UI.WebControls" tagprefix="asp">
</controls>

Add <httphandlers>and <httpmodules>within <system.web>tag:

<httphandlers><remove path="*.asmx" verb="*">
<add type="System.Web.Script.Services.ScriptHandlerFactory, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" path="*.asmx" verb="*" validate="false">
<add type="System.Web.Script.Services.ScriptHandlerFactory, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" path="*_AppService.axd" verb="*" validate="false">
<add type="System.Web.Handlers.ScriptResourceHandler, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" path="ScriptResource.axd" verb="GET,HEAD" validate="false">
</httphandlers>
<httpmodules>
<add type="System.Web.Handlers.ScriptModule, System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31BF3856AD364E35" name="ScriptModule">
</httpmodules>

Add <safecontrol>within <safecontrols>tag:
<safecontrol assembly="System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35" namespace="System.Web.UI" typename="*" safe="True">

Then save the web.config file and reset IIS

Adding the ASP.NET AJAX Script Manager control into your master page

Open SharePoint Designer

Start -> Programs -> Microsoft Office -> Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer2007-> click on file menu -> Select site url and click on open button

Then expand Master Page Gallery under _catalogs folder -> open default.master page

and register the following assembly <%@ Register Assembly="System.Web.Extensions, Version=3.5.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=31bf3856ad364e35" Namespace="System.Web.UI" TagPrefix="asp" %>

Then add the following element with in <form> tag. make sure this should be top level element under <form> tag

<asp:ScriptManager id="scriptmanager1" runat="server" ></asp:ScriptManager> then publish master page and approve it

By using this approach you can integarte ASP.NET AJAX in sharepoint and also you can use AJAXControlToolKit controls in sharepoint2007 i have created AJAX rating control webpart for sharepoint using AJAXControlToolKit

Happy Coding...

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Some good tools to make SharePoint development faster

Some good tools to make SharePoint development faster

WSPBuilder
CAML Builder
SharePoint to Linq

Ted Pattison Group workflow tools

WSPBuilder

By using this tool we can generate SharePoint Solution Package for WSS3.0 and MOSS2007 within seconds

Suppose if we want to develop web part in SharePoint first we have to follow lot of steps like manually creating manifest.xml, feature.xml, creating DDF file and we have to package all these things and deploy as a SharePoint Solution
If you use WSPBuilder no need of doing all these things WSPBuilder will take care creating manifest.xml, feature.xml, creating DDF file and packaging

You can download WSBuilder.exe from CodeFlex site

Steps to create WebPart Using WSPBuilder

Open VS2005/VS2008 and select New Project -> WSPBuilderProject

Step2

Step3

Step4Step5

Step6

See within 6steps we have created and completed SharePoint webpart

Thanks KuetMann for giving this great tool......

CAML Builder(U2UCamlCreator)
CAML queries are good option to retrieve data from SharePoint lists this free tool will help you to create CAML queries very fast and efficient

Step1:

Step2:Step3:By using this you can build your CAML queries veryfast ane efficient

Thanks for U2U

SharePoint to Linq

If you are familiar with LINQ concept then you can use SharePoint to Linq library for querying sharepoint lists

you can query sharepoint lists like this

var result = from t in TravleLists

select t;

Ted Pattison Group workflow tools(WSS3.0)

By using this you can write workflows for WSS3.0 will not support browser enabled Infopath forms so we have to use aspx forms for develpoing workflows

Normally you have to write a lot of code for creating aspx forms in WSS3.0 but this tool will reduce amount of code to develop aspx forms it has built-in forms like association forms, initiation forms,Modification forms etc...

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SharePoint designer is free

Hello Guys,

NOW SHAREPOINT DESIGNER 2007 IS FREE!

You can download it from Microsoft link

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=baa3ad86-bfc1-4bd4-9812-d9e710d44f42

Enjoy guys...

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