The fast, easy and complete integration of external data, eg from databases is a common requirement in the use of Microsoft SharePoint technology. Existing solutions, such as the Business Data Catalogue (BDC), are often too complex at the facility.
moreTo connect a SharePoint List directly with an external data source, please use the SharePoint Business Data List Connector (BDLC). This FAQ is about how to create a valid OLEDB connection string to the external data source in SharePoint.
moreTo connect a SharePoint list with a SQL Server table or view using the SharePoint Business Data List Connector (BDLC) you have to add a valid select statement. Here some samples are given.
moreIf a SharePoint List is connected directly with an external data source using the SharePoint Business Data List Connector (BDLC) the BDLC automatically creates the required list columns. But what about field types?
moreYou can use the SharePoint Business Data List Connector (BDLC) to connect Excel as your external data source to a SharePoint list. This FAQ is about how to create a valid selection statement for this.
moreIn the BDLC list settings dialog you can enable or disable background updates only. There are no further settings about timer interval, next run etc. But how to manage these settings?
moreThe SharePoint 2010 external list via BCS is a great step forward with data integration. But it's not a REAL SharePoint list. And that's why it hasn't ALL list features - as the BDLC list has.
moreWith SharePoint BDLC V1.6 you can update BDLC lists on demand per URL or on page load.
moreYou can simply remove unused columns in your SharePoint BDLC list by deleting it. Missed columns are skipped during updates and cause no problems.
Warning: You should not remove columns that host primary keys.
moreThe BDLC can be used to pull data from other SharePoint lists for any reason.
moreYes, you can add additional fields after list creation without any restrictions.
moreSharePoint out-of-the-box can sync some data in Microsoft Exchange to same lists in SharePoint. Connecting a custom SharePoint list to Exchange or Outlook with the BDLC to pull data into this list is a more general approach.
moreYou can connect a custom SharePoint list directly with external data from Oracle database tables or views using the Business Data List Connector (BDLC).
moreYou have to pull the user's / group's ID from the User Information List in the current SharePoint Site Collection into the user / group picker field to reference to a certain user or group.
moreAbout using SharePoint BDLC with NTLM Authentication, Basic Authentication, Kerberos and Trust computer for delegation privilege in Active Directory (AD) or explicit credentials.
moreUsing a BDLC list you can add collboration content to LOB data for example. To prevent users from editing content, that come from the external data source, some or all SharePoint list columns / fields can be set read-only.
moreYou can connect a custom SharePoint list (no Web part) directly with external data from Active Directory, e.g. users or devices, using the SharePoint Business Data List Connector (BDLC).
moreTo connect Microsoft Office 2010 data directly to SharePoint 2007 / WSS 3.0 lists, without Office installed on the server, you have to install the Office 2010 System Driver - Data Connectivity Components.
moreYou can fill SharePoint link columns from external data using the BDLC without any problems, if you follow these steps.
moreHow to configure BDLC to link a SharePoint MOSS/WSS list to a Microsoft Dynamics NAV 4.0 (Navision) non SQL Server table or query via C/ODBC directly in the list settings dialog without any programming or tools.
moreBDLC V3.0 finally comes with optional write-back to external data source features. CRUD (Create, Update, Delete) is fully supported for the external data source, if SharePoint list items are created, updated or deleted.
moreYou can use Stone Bonds .NET-based Enterprise Enabler as a driver, to connect any SharePoint 2007 / 2010 list directly to SAP data via Business Data List Connector for SharePoint 2007 / 2010.
moreFirst you have to install the appropiate .NET based provider (driver) on application server and web frontend server. Please take care about 32/64-bit: The driver should be the same as your SharePoint currently runs.
moreWith BDLC 2.0 now you can connect any existing SharePoint list to external data, e.g. contacts, tasks etc.
moreBDLC V1.6 comes with greatly improved field / column mapping features.
moreSharePoint BDLC 1.5 comes with highly improved support for much more external data sources.
moreThere are some known issues and workarounds with the BDLC version 1.02.
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