SharePoint Stuff

Link to Advanced Search

2006-10-17T09:23:00.000+10:00

To create a link that leads directly to SharePoint Advanced Search use the followinghttp://MyPortal/Search.aspx?d=

Global Design Banner Change to SPS

2006-08-28T11:32:00.000+10:00

I have been trying to implement a global design banner change to my SPS site and after fiddling around for a long long long time I finally got it all working. If anyone ever needs to go down that path.1. Follow the steps in "Applying a Custom Banner". The following is the various folders that exist in Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\60\TEMPLATE\1033 where you

How To Create a New Site Definition

2006-08-18T08:42:00.001+10:00

To create a new WSS Site Definition1. Make a copy of STS folder in “Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\60\TEMPLATE\1033” and give it a unique name (say MYWSS). Make sure that the folder name is all in capitals.2. Create a new XML file called WEBTEMPMYWSS.XML (all capitals) in the Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\60\TEMPLATE\1033\XML

Can't rename if you can't delete

2006-08-09T09:55:00.000+10:00

The ability to delete items in SharePoint is managed via the permission "Delete items from a list, documents from a document library, and Web discussion comments in documents". However if you revoke this permission, the user is no longer able to rename documents either. They can change all other properties but cannot rename. I have since then reviewed the SharePoint Object Model in more detail

Office 2003 documents Open in Read-Only Mode

2006-07-28T09:06:00.000+10:00

If you click on an Office document in SharePoint to open it - it loads it in the relevant application, but in Read-Only mode. The way to open a document to edit - is to access the context menu and select "Edit in Microsoft Office Word [or like]". This is especially annoying when searching for documents, since the search results does not show the context menu and does not provide a link to the

Not all WebParts appear for all users

2006-07-18T09:30:00.000+10:00

Apparantly "Users who are members of custom site groups cannot access Web Parts when they view Web Part galleries in SharePoint Portal Server 2003". This is because the webpart gallery is nothing but a custom list - however it is not set to automatically inherit permissions - so none of the custom site groups can access any of the standard webparts in the web part gallery.To work around the

HTTP Error 401.2 - Unauthorized: Access is denied due to server.

2006-07-17T09:09:00.000+10:00

This error occurs when "Integrated Authentication" has not been enabled on the website. This is usually the case with the Default Web Site since that is created when IIS is first installed and SharePoint doesn't update the security settings.

< !-- #RENDER FAILED -- > Error Message

2006-07-11T16:58:00.000+10:00

The "" error message sometimes appears in WebParts where1. You are sorting by Modified Date2. and you "Display items in batches of the specified size."To fix the error, either change the default sort order, or change the "Item Limit" option in the view to "Limit the total number of items returned to the specified amount."

Error ID 7055 using SPSBACKUP

2006-06-27T10:57:00.000+10:00

Using SPSBACKUP from the command line may sometimes cause the following error to be logged on the Database Server3041 :BACKUP failed to complete the command BACKUP DATABASE [dbname] TO DISK = N'filepath' WITH INIT , NOUNLOAD , NOSKIP , STATS = 5, NOFORMATThis error can be returned for the following reasons1. Not using a UNC File Path.2. The Database Account not having write permissions to

People Search returns public.aspx in Results

2006-05-30T09:18:00.000+10:00

If the "Include this property" check box is not selected for "PreferredName" in "Site Settings" > "Manage Properties of Crawled Content" > "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:sharepoint:portal:profile", then the search results will display "Public.aspx" instead of the users display name in all SharePoint Search Results.The issue is not resolved even if you go back and select the "Include this property"

Searching custom meta-data lookup fields

2006-05-19T16:59:00.000+10:00

This is a follow up to a previous post "SharePoint Portal Server Meta Data Search Myth" (http://spsstuff.blogspot.com/2006/02/sharepoint-portal-server-meta-data.html). In that post I highlighted how the Advanced Search functionality didn't allow users to search against custom meta-data fields which were lookups. In such instances, users needed to enter the ID of the item rather than the value.To

Cannot Remove "Create Site" Permission

2006-04-21T11:04:00.000+10:00

SharePoint provides the ability to limit permissions on a Portal Area by Area basis. So, while a user might be a Web Designer for the Portal, in a particular area they might only have reader rights. However, the one permission that cannot be taken away at the Portal Area level is the “Create Site” permission. So if you are a user who has the ability to Create Sites, you will keep that permission

Reinstalling Service Pack 2

2006-04-04T11:13:00.000+10:00

Based on the problems I identified in my previous post, the resolution is to re-install Service Pack 2. However, Windows Server doesn't let you re-install an SP - or remove it from Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs.To reinstall SP2 for SPS do the following1. Extract the hotfix package using Winzip.2. Run:msiexec /p full path to the V2SP2Packlet.msp REINSTALLMODE=VAMUS /l*v c:\filename.log /qb!+

SP2 - Object reference not set to an Instance of an Object

2006-04-03T20:37:00.000+10:00

Recently I installed SharePoint Portal SP2 and then when I tried to create a new portal (SharePoint Central Admin > Create a Portal Site) I immediately got the following error message "Object reference not set to an instance of an object. "on page /sps/portalcreate.aspx.At the same time the following waslogged in the Event LogEvent Type: WarningEvent Source: SharePoint Portal Error ReportingEvent

403 Error on Pages

2006-03-30T20:13:00.000+11:00

403 Errors imply Unauthorised Access. While authentication is handled by IIS, authorisation is controlled by SharePoint. However, HTTP Error codes and messages are raised at the IIS level. A 403 error is usually due to incorrect Application Pool settings. You need to ensure that all applications and virtual directories within your Portal use the same Application Pool. If you are using a custom

Searching SharePoint Help

2006-03-16T07:24:00.000+11:00

While SharePoint does provide quite an extensive Help that is accessible to all users via the top right nav in the Portal, it is has no search capabilities and requires the user to always start from the index and navigate through and find what they are looking for. However since the "Help" is just a collection of webpages, you can use SharePoint Search to index it and allow users to search

How to change the Maximum File Upload Size

2006-03-16T07:02:00.000+11:00

By default SharePoint allows a maximum file size of 50MB that can be uploaded into any document library. This might be too much as you might not want users downloading 50MB files over your LAN/WAN. To change the maximum file size1. Goto SharePoint Central Administration > Configure Virtual Server Settings from Virtual Server List Page.2. Select your server3. Goto Virtual Server General Settings (

Field Lengths in SharePoint Lists

2006-03-16T06:34:00.000+11:00

The following is the field length restrictions enforced by SharePointSingle Line Field : 255 charsMulti line field (document, forms, picture library) : 255 charsMulti line field (everywhere else) : no limit

SharePoint Database Structure

2006-03-13T19:00:00.000+11:00

This section in MSDN details all the tables that are used by SharePoint - both for Config and for Content. It explains each table and all included fields.http://tinyurl.com/lpvut

SharePoint Performance Monitoring

2006-03-13T12:50:00.000+11:00

How SharePoint Performance is managed at Microsoft - http://tinyurl.com/k9whqIntroductionIn 2003, Microsoft IT deployed Windows SharePoint Services and Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server to create a global enterprise portal and team collaboration solution that supports more than 60,000 users, 250 group and division portals, 50,000 team sites, and manages more than 3 terabytes of

.dot templates in SharePoint Document Library

2006-03-13T12:42:00.000+11:00

If you upload a Word template (.dot) files into a SharePoint document library, and open it in Word, you will notice Word lets you overwrite the template, rather than create an Untitled Document.When you select a .dot file in Word's File Open dialog box, Word will simply open the file, not use it as a new file template. Word uses .dot files for templates only when the .dot file is selected from

Error creating Workspace based on Custom Template

2006-03-08T13:33:00.000+11:00

Adding items to a list (announcements, links etc.) on a sub site (workspace) that has been created using a custom template by a user who is not an Administrator, but instead granted the "Create Subsites" returns the following error"Error - This form is not available for this list, discussion board, survey, or document library.Troubleshoot issues with Windows SharePoint Services. "This is because,

Setting Unique Permissions for Lists within Areas

2006-03-08T10:53:00.000+11:00

WSS allows you to create document libraries and lists and then set different access rights or permissions from those of the site they are in. However, document libraries or lists within an Area do not have the option to change permissions.To change permissions in Areas do the following1. Navigate to the document library or list you wish to set custom permissions on.2. Click "Modify Settings and

Crawl Behaviour and Removal of Content

2006-03-07T16:42:00.000+11:00

The following page has a table which describes when and how content is removed from SharePoint Portal Server 2003 site indexes.http://office.microsoft.com/search/redir.aspx?AssetID=XT011267331033&CTT=5&Origin=HA012145341033In some instances, like when a web page in WSS is removed, the content is still returned in searches till the 3rd Full index.Error Code descriptions are300 Error codes: Client

Add more options in Site Creation URL

2006-03-07T14:07:00.000+11:00

When you choose to create a new site in a SharePoint Portal Server environment, the "Web Site Address" on the site creation page only has "sites" as an option. The fact that it is a drop down list implies that you can add other items to it. To either change "sites" or to add other values go to "Central Administration" > "Configure virtual server settings from the Virtual Server List page" > Click

Create a link to External Site in SharePoint Portal Nav

2006-03-06T22:37:00.000+11:00

You can include navigation items to external sites on the SharePoint Portal Server main nav (Home, News, Topics etc) by doing the following1. Click Manage Portal Site2. Create a New Area, enter title, choose any template and Save. You will only get the option to select a template if you have changed the default properties of the Home Areas to allow Sub Areas to be based on any template3. Click

Contributors cannot edit News Stories

2006-03-04T15:57:00.000+11:00

While a user belonging to the Contributor group can edit content anywhere on the SharePoint Portal - they cannot edit news stories. They can add new news stories but can't go back and edit them.This is because, to edit News Stories, you need "Manage Area" permissions enabled for the particular user. By default only the Web Designer and above can do this.

SharePoint v3 now in 2007?

2006-03-01T22:53:00.000+11:00

According to an article on MSNBC, it seems the new Office suite will not ship till early 2007."Microsoft also announced a range of Office 2007-related server products, including an updated SharePoint Server, a projects server and a server to create forms hosted on the Internet that the company says will make it easier for users to collaborate and share documents and data."http://www.msnbc.msn.com

Search SharePoint from Word 2003

2006-03-01T22:47:00.000+11:00

You can search your corporate intranet (or SharePoint portal) from within Word as part of the Research functionality. To enable this1. Open Word - click Ctrl + F1 to view the Active Pane if not visible and go to the Research Section2. Click "Research Options" at the bottom of the pane.3. Click "Add Services"4. Enter the address as "http://MyPortalServer/_vti_bin/search.asmx5. SaveNow the

Show PDF Icon in Listings

2006-02-28T08:27:00.000+11:00

To show the PDF (or any other icon) in SharePoint1. Create a 16x16 icon file, call it pdf16.gif and upload it to the /60/TEMPLATE/IMAGES folder2. Then open /60/TEMPLATE/XML/DOCICON.XML and in the "By Extension" section add the following line< key="pdf" value="pdf16.gif">Restart IIS and you're done.

This form is not available for this list.

2006-02-27T18:28:00.000+11:00

SharePoint lets you create a lookup field in a custom list or document library that reads values off an existing list. If you then create a view with a grouping on the lookup field, then you will get the "This form is not available for this list" error message, if any value in the list is deleted. It does not matter if the value you are linking to still exists, all links via the group by will

File Not Found - WSS Sites and Workspaces

2006-02-27T16:41:00.000+11:00

A "File Not Found" error is returned when you try and access an existing Workspace or Sub Site if the original template has been removed or its reference removed from the XML folder.For example, if you create an Event Workspace based on the Multipage Meeting Workspace template. You then proceed to customise the event workspace and finally save it as a new template - calling it "My Multi Page

Can't view Custom Templates in WSS

2006-02-27T12:51:00.000+11:00

Only Administrators for a site can use custom templates to create new lists or workspaces. Even if you create a custom group and grant them all permissions they will not be able to use an custom template.According to Microsoft documentation if you give any user group the right to "Create Subsites - Create subsites such as team sites, Meeting Workspace, Document Workspace sites" they should be

View Stats Anywhere

2006-02-27T12:47:00.000+11:00

If you have enabled "Usage Analysis Processing" in SharePoint Central Administration, there is a hidden URL that lets you view the stats for any page/section/area of the Portal (and WSS). Just navigate to the area where you wish to view stats and add"/_layouts/1033/usagedetails.aspx"to the URL. Note the string above replaces the filename so if you are in the "News" home pagehttp://myportalsite/

The pointlessness of the - Add(String, Byte[], Microsoft.SharePoint.SPUser, Microsoft.SharePoint.SPUser, System.DateTime, System.DateTime) Method

2006-02-24T16:26:00.000+11:00

The Add(String, Byte[], Microsoft.SharePoint.SPUser, Microsoft.SharePoint.SPUser, System.DateTime, System.DateTime) Method in SharePoint allows you to programmatically upload documents and is the only way the "Created By" field can be set to any user other than the one doing the upload.However according to the MSDN documentation"This Add method works on a Site Document Library, however, if you

How to re-create Site Summary Page

2006-02-23T21:11:00.000+11:00

If you ever delete the Site Summary page and want to recreate it, do the following1. In the Home Area click "Change Settings". Go to the "Page" tab and select "SubAreas can use any template"2. Click OK3. Then click "Manage Portal Site" and click "Create Area".4. Enter the details for your new Area - and select "Site Directory Area Template" from the Template Selection box.And you're done.

Edit Search Results/Sites Summary Pages

2006-02-23T20:53:00.000+11:00

There are certain pages in SharePoint where clicking "Edit Page" on the nav doesn't really give you any options. It doesn't allow you to remove or change properties of any webparts nor does it provide the Add Web Part menu. The main pages affected by this "unique feature" are the Search Results page and the Sites Summary Page. On any of these pages add"?mode=edit&view=shared"to the end of the web

SharePoint Portal Server Meta Data Search Myth

2006-02-23T08:12:00.000+11:00

http://www.intranetjournal.com/articles/200508/ij_08_29_05a.htmlThe above link is an excellent description on how to set up SharePoint to allow you to search on custom meta data that have been added in your document libraries.There are however a couple of details to note about this advanced search functionality, that isn't commonly known.1. While the custom fields exist in the documents and

The magic URL

2006-02-22T22:07:00.000+11:00

If you have an erroneous webpart, SharePoint in its infinite wisdom displays an error message page, but does not provide a listing of webparts to allow you to remove the broken one. Adding "?contents=1" to the end of any page address in SharePoint will display a listing of all webparts on the page with the ability to delete individual ones or all of them.

Making a List Template available in all Areas of the Portal

2006-02-22T21:48:00.000+11:00

While SharePoint lets you create templates for any content group like Document Libraries and Lists, it does not let you easily have it accessible from all areas of the Portal. If you create a list in the Home Area and then save it as a template you can only use it in the Home Area - which is quite pointless.The following is a workaround which will let you add any list template to be accessible

Making a WSS site template appear in SPS Template Selection

2006-02-21T11:08:00.000+11:00

One of the features of Windows SharePoint Services is the ability to create a team site and customise it with custom views, meta data, web part pages etc and then to be able to save it as a template for re use. To save a WSS Site as a template,1. In WSS, click “Site Settings”, “Go to Site Administration” and then “Save Site as Template”2. Enter the followingFilename: Any name you choose – eg “