Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Business Connectivity Service – External Content Type (SQL server)


Note: The purpose and character of this blog, include for educational purposes and help businesses.



Open SharePoint Documents within Browser

Library > Library Settings > Advanced settings > Opening Documents in the Browser > Open in the browser

Search External List (ECT) (BCS) [using SQL Server)

-          Business Data List, Web Part
-          Infowise Smart Filter Pro

Using Business Connectivity Services to Connect SQL server (in SharePoint Designer 2013)



Error: “Unable to render the data. If the problem persists, contact your web server administrator.”

·         Short Term: The problem is with the limit filter in Sharepoint Designer.
o   SharePoint Designer > External Content Types > ‘Choose External Content Type’ > under ‘External Content Type Operations’  > double click in Read List > Next > Add Filter Parameter
o   Select ‘Data Source Element’ > next to Filter go to ‘(Click to Add)’ > Type Filter name >  under Filter Type select Limit > under Filter Field select same ‘Data Source Element’ > click OK  > Next > Finish  

External content type Read List operation thresholds

·         Long Term: Max out the database items to 8000000
PowerShell
> $bdcAppProxy = Get-SPServiceApplicationProxy | where {$_ -match "Business Data Connectivity Service"}
> Get-SPBusinessDataCatalogThrottleConfig -Scope Database -ThrottleType Items -ServiceApplicationProxy $bdcAppProxy


> $throttleDb = Get-SPBusinessDataCatalogThrottleConfig -Scope Database -ThrottleType Items -ServiceApplicationProxy $bdcAppProxy

> Set-SPBusinessDataCatalogThrottleConfig -Identity $throttleDb -maximum 8000000 -default 4000000



HOW TO – Custom “Quick Edit” mode rendering (External List):



Add Custom JavaScript (with SharePoint Web Part)

Go to your SharePoint Web Page > Edit Page > Add a Web Part > Media and Content > Script Editor > Add


Output error: “The current operation requires Business Connectivity Services client components. Install Business Connectivity client components and try again.”

Steps 1: Install the prerequisite software needed to work with external data in Office 2013.
To work with external data in Microsoft Office 2013, your computer requires the following free software products:
1.      Microsoft SQL Server Compact 4.0    To install this product, click here.
2.      Microsoft .NET Framework 4    To install this product, click here.
3.      WCF Data Services 5.0 for OData V3    To install this product, click here.

Important: Make sure to have the same software version in order to prevent further conflicts. Uninstall any newer or older version and install these versions listed above.* 


SharePoint List Settings Issue: “Internet Explorer is required to use this feature.”



Write Permission to ‘’Add Item” in the List View (connected to SQL server)

·         Verify the Permission: Check the secure credentials based on the read and write user accounts set up in the Sharepoint System
·         Secure Store credential within SharePoint Designer






Blog post written by: David Conde. Information Technology. 2015-2016.