Use BCS as the Calendar Plus data source

Use BCS as the Calendar Plus data source

Overview of Calendar Plus Configuration settings

Microsoft Business Connectivity Services is one of the four available data sources for Calendar Plus.
Data Source Settings screen with the Microsoft Business Connectivity Services radio button selected
When working with Microsoft Business Connectivity Services as the data source keep in mind:

  • BDC and BCS are used interchangeably in the configuration screens

  • To use MashPoint you must first install the extensions which are available on the Bamboo storefront, and then install the runtime components, which are available from the Setup Program for Calendar Plus.

The following steps require you to have accessed the Calendar Plus Settings screens by clicking the Calendar Plus Web Part Settings button in the web parts configuration tool pane.

Step Action Result
1.

Click the Microsoft BCS button under Data Source Settings in the navigation tool pane. under Data Source Settings in the navigation tool pane. Image of the Navigation Pane with the BDC and MashPoint button available. All other data source buttons are grayed out

You will only be able to select this button if Microsoft Business Connectivity Services is selected as the Data Source Type

The Microsoft Business Connectivity Services will be visible on the right side of the configuration screen and is divided into two sections:

  • Required Steps: the configuration settings which must be defined to add the table or view to the Calendar Plus display

    NOTE: Only the required steps are discussed in this topic

  • Optional Steps: Modify the display options
    associated with the data source

2. Enter the BDC or MashPoint application name
Calendar_BDC_Req2.png
Image of the  External Content Type Picker Screen
3. Select the display column from the Item Display Column drop down menu.
Calendar_BDC_Req3a.png
4. Select the Date and Time column(s) in the list or library that will be displayed in the calendar. Enter the desired start and end date fields from the drop-down selectors Whether you see Start Date and End Date or Single Date fields will depend on the selection made on the General Settings screen to use a …Single Date or Interval.
Image of the Base Calendar on Single Date or Interval drop down selector found on the general settings screen.
5.

Apply a filter for the content by selecting from the following options:

  • Show All Items

  • Specify Filter Conditions To Specify Filter Conditions select the radio button and set filter conditions in the 3 fields provided

Keep in mind:
1. Calendar Plus supports the two SharePoint variables; [ME] representing the currently logged in user, and [Today], representing today’s date. that can be used to specify filter conditions

2. Use the Add Filters link if you want to add another specified filter condition using AND/OR boolean operators.

3. Web part connections can be used to filter the contents of the calendar display but are not configured in the Calendar Plus web part settings. Information on using web connections is available here.

6.

Stay in the Microsoft Business Connectivity Services screen and configure the Optional Steps associated with the data source

OR

Use the left navigation pane and configure View Settings for the Calendar Plus web part.

Clicking Save and Close will exit the Calendar Plus Web Part settings screen

Overview of Calendar Plus Configuration settings