how to create a flag or other indicator of a new reply to a discussion group thread

Question

The IT folks at my public health care team related site tell me that it is not possible to set things up so that flags, dates or text change can occur to indicate there is a new reply to a post.  A flag appears indicating a new thread but not for a reply to a thread.  It would be helpful if members when they are viewing the site can tell which areas and threads have new replys.  Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

An alternative is to list the modify date.  Go to modify shared web part and then click on the obscure link "edit the current view" and check off "last modified".  There are other options including "created by which can be helpful for including in the web part appearance.  Also many other style options available under "edit current view".

Answer 2

You can use a calculated column to insert conditionally formatted HTML into a view. So, could could add a column to the view which shows a flag icon (or whatever image you may want) whenever certain critera are met. This blog has the info on fancy schmancy calculated columns.

Answer 3

Hi!

If you want it simple, can't you just create a view filtered on Last Updated, showing only threads that have been updated within the last X days? Or, that might not be enough? 

I suggest, just like Rob Creamer, to create a calculated column based on Last Updated and add a symbol or color coded green text saying something like "Updated!" if the thread is updated within the last couple of days. More info about color coded columns here (really great articles!):
http://pathtosharepoint.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/color-coding-formula-generator/
http://pathtosharepoint.wordpress.com/2008/09/01/using-calculated-columns-to-write-html/


Another way - and this may not the best solution - but what about creating a simple workflow in SharePoint Designer to add in example a new announcement whenever a a reply is created? the next step is to create a view in the "new replies announcement list" filtered to just show new replies fron the last X days. Then add the list web part to the discussion page. As I said, it might not be the best solution, but it is just an idea...

Good luck!!
Jenny

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jennyfi

Answer 4

Hi Guys,

I have resolved this by doing the following steps.

1) open the sharepoint designer and navigate to see the page and detach the page
2) do a right click on the webpart which is basically the discussion webpart and then use transform to XSLT
3) search for Newflag in the xsl code
4)change the Created to DiscussionLastUpdated 

and from then onwards any new discussions or replies will show with the New Flag.

hope this helps someone.

Thanks. 

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naresh