BDC Usage Question

Question

Hi,

I'm looking to identify the best method of linking 2 SharePoint libraries. The libraries hold different data but contain a common key field. Ideally I'd like to be able to link the primary table to the foreign key table, so that I can filter/group etc on fields located in the foreign key table. I was wondering about the use of the Business Data Catalog, and inserting a Business Data Column into the primary library which is linked to the second table.

Can anyone tell me if this is a viable option, i.e. can it be done, failing that any suggestions are welcome as to how I might be able to achieve this.

Thanks in advance,

Grant

Answer 1

hi,
When you already have lookup field controls for helping in such cases why do you need to go to BDC.
If you are looking for some cascading kind of implementation then go ahead and use DataCogs cascading controls.

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Answer 2

I'm aware of the lookup columns but will that allow for the grouping and filtering of one list based on values in another. I wondered if the BDC, with a Business data column would pull in the required fields from the  child table into the parent one. I accept that the BDC is not the ideal solution, that was what I was trying to establish. I'll look at the datacogs stuff and see if that can help.

Thanks for the response.

Answer 3

Hi,

The Business Data Catalog is not what you need here, the BDC is designed for external Line-of-Business Systems as data sources rather than SharePoint lists.

Are the two libraries on the Web? Can you not just use a connection between the two list web parts and pass your Identifier?

Best Regards,

Phill

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