The SharePoint Business Data List Connector (BDLC) uses connection strings to connect a custom SharePoint list to external LOB data directly in the list settings dialog.
Fig.: Sample data sources that connects to a SharePoint list with the BDLC
Connection strings are not related to BDLC, it's a more general way to connect to data sources in Microsoft Windows operating systems. For more information, how to build your connection string, please select your data source from the list below:
You can use connection strings, to connect SharePoint lists to databases, such as
You can pull data to SharePoint lists directly from data files, e.g.
You can also use connection strings to link SharePoint lists directly to server and services, e.g.
- OLAP, Analysis Services - to provide Business Intelligence data in a real SharePoint list for further processing, views and workflows (e.g. if some values are critical)
- Microsoft SharePoint - to pull list data from another SharePoint / WSS site collection or installation
- Microsoft Project - to access project management data via a custom SharePoint list
- Active Directory - to provide user or device data in a custom SharePoint list
- Microsoft Exchange - to access contacts, events, tasks or other Exchange data in mailboxes or public folders
- Microsoft Index Server / File System - to access Index Server queries for search in several data sources including the operating systems file system via a custom SharePoint list and start workflows, if content changes
- IBM Lotus Notes - to connect a custom SharePoint list to Lotus Notes data
- Intuit Quickbase - to access online application data in SharePoint lists
- Composit Information Server - a Java-based application and data integration server
- ODBC DSN - to connect further data sources via ODBC Data Source Names with SharePoint lists
- UDL - to connect SharePoint lists via the Universal Data Link protocol with external data sources
The BDLC connection can used for one-time imports in case of data migration or on a regulary base including updates - on demand or using a timer job.