There are no Business Data Types loaded in the Catalog in the Business Data type picker

Question

So, I have created a new definition using the newly released Business Data Catalog Definition Editor, but it does not show up in the list when trying to add it to a Business Data list. It just says "There are no Business Data Types loaded in the Catalog".

 

I recived no errors when importing it and I have all the right permissions set up for it.

 

What could be causing this ? I have another definition file created with another tool, and that works just fine.

 

--

Christian

Answer 1

I get the exact same error! I have no idea why

Answer 2

Looked through some previous errors of the same type that mentioned correcting permissions on Applications and Entities but that does not seem to be the case.

 

Import and export went smoothly but I'm still getting the same error:

There are no business Data Types in the Catalog.

 

Any ideas appreciated?

Answer 3

Same problem here.  I'll let you know if I figure anything out.

Answer 4

I'm pretty sure this is because the Microsoft tool does not generate a Finder method for you, which is the method executed by the BDC List Web Part. Because none of your entities have this method, they do not show up to be selected.

 

Nick

Answer 5

That might be the case Nick, but I also seems that I have some troubles with permissions, anyway I have now successfully been able to add en entity to my list. Although I'm running into other problems now, more on that in another post later..

 

Thanks

Answer 6

i still have the same problem (error: there are no business data types loaded in the catalog).  still cannot figure it out.  can you please let me know what did you do to be able to add an entity to a business data list?

 

thanks a lot.

Answer 7

anyone figured this out yet?

Answer 8

No, not really. But I have it working now using a Webservice, which was a part of a solution for a nother problem I seemed to face. The database that I needed data from have some chars in some of the fields. I does not use DbNull values in empty fields but another char. That char made SharePoint freak and throw exceptions at me, so I created a Webservice to filter out the faulty chars.

 

That's how I made it work for this specific solution, but a real fix would be nice.

Answer 9

I've been playing around with this quite a bit and it looks like Nick is correct.  The Microsoft tool does not generate the "Finder" method.  It creates a "SpecificFinder" and the "IdEnumerator" methods only.  If the Finder method is missing, the Business Data Type picker will not find BDC application.

 

In my case, I created the missing Finder method by doing the following:

1. Create a new method.. rename "Method0" to something useful. Typically I name my SpecificFinder method something like "Find_XXX" and my Finder method "Find_XXXs"
2. Change the RdbCommandText property of the new method to be the SQL Select statement that returns multiple records. Typically it's the same SQL Select statement you use for your SpecificFinder method but you don't include a Where clause.
3. Create a new parameter (of type "Return") for the newly created method. Since the Tool already creates a Return parameter for the SpecificFinder, just copy these properties for your Finder method parameter.
4. Create a new Method Instance.  Choose "Finder" for the Method Instance Type, and choose the "Reader" (for me, it was the root node) as the Return TypeDescriptor.

Answer 10

This will work, but if you're having issues with creating application definition files why not just download BDC Meta Man?  

It has several advantages over the Microsoft tool, not least that it generates the Finder method for you...

 

I seriously recommend it, I've been using it for some time now, it's saved loads of time.  Looks like it could've saved you guys the best part of a week too looking at this thread's start date...

 

Steve

Answer 11

The problem I have with BDC Meta Man is that it's not free.  The so-called "free developer version" seems to be just a really long trial.  My version says it will expire in 118 days.  Also, the developer version does not let you open application definition files, so you better be sure you get your settings right before you close the app!  Also, the BDC Meta Man does not let you create "SQL String" methods, so you cannot create custom queries methods.

 

The Microsoft tool, while buggy, allows you to open application definition files, and seems to be pretty feature complete.  Best of all, it's really free!

Answer 12

 

I was running into this error, and then realized I had done something silly. I realized I had created two SSPs, and I was importing the BDC definition into the first SSP. All my web applications were being hosted by the second SSP.When I changed the web apps to run under SSP1, everything worked as expected.

 

I used the following article as a guide to learn the tool. (I'm not sure if you have to check both foreign key boxes. The directions say to do just one, but the picture shows two. It worked ok when I checked both)

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb736296.aspx

Answer 13

I concur with Nick and jcrowder, that the BDC Definition Editor does not generate a "Finder" method for SQL based Business Data.

To be able to determine if you are running into exactly this problem (i.e. not another like a permissions problem) follow these steps:
1) Open the Windows Event Viewer
2) Select the "Application" category
3) Look for an Error of ID 5699
4) The details of this error should look like this:

Event Type:    Error
Event Source:    Office SharePoint Server
Event Category:    Business Data
Event ID:    5699
Date:        DD/MM/2007
Time:        HH:MMS
User:        N/A
Computer:    [[SERVER-NAME]]
Description:
A Metadata Exception was constructed in App Domain '/LM/W3SVC/1899309449/Root-1-128350978947019294'. The full exception text is: MethodInstance could not be found using criteria 'MethodInstanceType=Finder'.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

5) You can then apply the workaround suggested by jcrowder

Answer 14

im sorry, this hole thing is a nightmare.  i have been programming for 10 years and im still lost.  I just want to do select field from table and i have to go through all this entityes, instances, finders,   I MEAN COME ONNN

 

what do microsoft employees smoke on a daily basis?????

Even after somehow getting an app def file to import

 

i still see

 

There are no Business Data Types loaded in the Catalog in the Business Data

 

FORMAT c:  ????????????????????

 

Answer 15

I was *finally* able to get something to display in the Business Data Type Picker dialog box -  I've created a BDC application with the Business Data Catalog Definition Editor, and haven't modified it at all (didn't add a custom finder method)

 

After importing the definition in my SSP, choose View Applications, select your application then I chose "manage permissions" and I added the group "

NT AUTHORITY\authenticated users", giving them all permissions.  Then I selected "copy all permissions to descendants"

Voila - the application now shows up in the BDC type picker.

I'm sure I don't need to give access so broadly, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

 

I've still got other problems, but at least that is one down.

 

 

 

 

Answer 16

 

wow this is funny.  Me too.  How could this all of a sudden start working for people?

 

I just go out of a meeting where we were arguing a back and forth about Microsoft CRM vs Sharepoint and how i cant share data because Business data doesnt work.  I went to show them how it doesnt work , and the convoludeted way it is to set it up.  And low and behold items are now showing up.

 

Unfortunately where i need it to work is not working still. Where i create a custom list, and choose business data as a field is still saying no business data is in the catalog

Answer 17

I have same problems with no data in Bussines Data type picker.

In Windows Event Viewer I recieve this error:

Event Type:    Error
Event Source:    Office SharePoint Server
Event Category:    Business Data
Event ID:    5699
Date:        DD/MM/2007
Time:        HH:MMS
User:        N/A
Computer:    [[SERVER-NAME]]
Description:
A Metadata Exception was constructed in App Domain '/LM/W3SVC/981801915/Root-1-128463000161757838'. The full exception text is: LobSystem could not be found using criteria 'id=806'.


Any suggestions?

Answer 18

I added NT AUTHORITY\Authenticated Users to access the BDC, application and entity but I am having the exact same problem.

 

I can add a business data column to a list, but it's useless as it never matches up and cannot use the browse button on it when new list items are created.

 

Similarly, I cannot create a business data list because "There are no Business Data Types".  That's funny, how did I create the Business Data column in the list then?  It found it fine at that point.

 

I agree this is rediculous.  And, I'm told SP1 implementation is no small project, so I can't simply install that and see if any of these bugs go away.

 

Answer 19

are there any solutions present yet?

 

EDIT: after solving the problem the error din't return but this has nothing to do with the catalog because the catalog is still empty.

 

Answer 20

 

i sure dont have any solution yet.  I am going to have to use my well paid for MSDN subscription tech support call in ordert to get an answer on how to use an option that should be working on its own. I guess this is good business microsoft to make things dont work, so they can make money on support. 

 

I dont see any MVP's even coming close to answer any of our questions.

 

 

^5 Microsoft  aka m$

 

 

Michael Evanchik

Answer 21

I found the solution by using another program called BDC META MAN:

 

http://www.lightningtools.com/bdc-meta-man/default.aspx

 

this tool is not free... you can use the trial for free.

 

strange enough this tool created a full working XML file and after loading it into sharepoint i could select my Data Type in the catalog and everything was working fine.

 

I think it's just waiting untill there is a new SDK release or an update where this problem is solved.

 

Greatings,

 

Tom

Answer 22

My problem is the same except even stupider.  I used BDC Metaman to create the XML file and imported the application into Central Admin.  When I added the Business Data List webpart, it displayed the list just fine.  That webpart works.  But when I added a Business Data Related List webpart below that, it says it can't find any items in the Business Data Catalog.  Even though the webpart above it had no problem!!!  I seriously doubt Microsoft could make their own products work.

Answer 23

Sorry, but purchasing a third party tool just to make a Microsoft product function properly isn't a solution.  Metaman or not, the Finder method isn't solving this problem.

 

Has anyone tried SP1?

 

Answer 24

I was having this issue today when trying to migrate a BDC application from our test install of MOSS over to production. I gave the NT Authority\Authenticated Users group execute permissions and was receiving the same error as everybody else. There were no errors in the event log unless i searched for an application, I then got the error about no being able to find the application based upon the id.

 

I then went back to the permissions and gave the group above the Selecteable in clients permission. I left it for 10/15 minutes and then tried it again and it worked. So I'm guessing this permission makes the application "findable" when browsing for it to say add it to a business data column.

Answer 25

I think this whole issue boils down to the fact that the Business Data Catalog is a very powerful and poorly documented feature in MOSS.  We all need the ability to access LOB data, and we have no problems doing that in our daily ETL and custom dev processes, so why is it so difficult in a SharePoint environment?

 

I have found that BDC Meta Man is really the only way to try and tackle these definition files.  The tool Microsoft provides with the SDK will cause more problems than it solves in that it generates a file that you can import, but that for the most part won't work since it lets you get away with improper configuration.

 

Use BDC Meta Man, and use reverttoself authentication.  Make sure you right-click your LOB system in the designer and modify the security to make it reverttoself.  Give your SharePoint machine read access in the SQL database (i.e. DOMAIN\MACHINENAME$ in SQL Management Studio).

 

It's a shame that this has to be so nebulous.  It's not that complex, its just very non-intuitive.

Answer 26

http://blah.winsmarts.com/2007-4-SharePoint_2007__BDC_-_The_Hello_World_Example.aspx

 

here I found all the information i needed..

 

Great Site!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer 27

One possibility might be that BDC MetaMan Trial version only allows you to create one entity, so parent/child or related list relationships aren't supported.

Answer 28

Hi ,
I found that: 

http://demiliani.com/blog/archive/2008/07/14/6488.aspx

The Business Data Catalog Definition Editor has a main "bug"... Try to load a definition file in Sharepoint and then use a Business Data List Web Part. When you select the Business Data Type, you'll receive an error: there are no Business data Types Loaded in the Catalog.

Why this? Because the Microsoft tool does not generate the "Finder" method (the method used by the Business Data List Web Part for retrieving data). It creates only a "SpecificFinder" and a "IdEnumerator" methods.

The only way I've found in order to solve this problem is to manually create the "Finder" method. The easy way is to change the MethodInstanceType property of the "IdEnumerator" method to "Finder":


Best Regards

Answer 29

Hi All,

        I can use the Microsoft's BDC tool to get data from the web service Amazon but cannot get data from other service as Hitslink(hitslink.com). Also, if add "All of LOB" via webservice then cannot general Instantces in Methods so that I use BDCMeta tool (bdcmeta.com) to export ADF from webservice Hitslink then import into the Microsoft's BDC tool is ok but cannot get data. It always display the following errors:
            + No such account.
            + Web Method parameter signature may not match the signature declared in metadata:
Web Method expects: System.String, System.String, ReportWSProxy.ReportsEnum, System.Int32, System.Int32, System.Int32,
Metadata supplies: System.String account, System.String password, System.String reportId, System.Int32 maxRows,
 System.Int32 chartHeight, System.Int32 chartWidth, 

    Can you guys help me!

Thanks so much!

---

HenryNguyen

Answer 30

I got an error similar to  MArkoR, the log is showing the following errors:

A Metadata Exception was constructed in App Domain '/LM/W3SVC/1098315274/Root-1-128643877466177452'. The full exception text is: LobSystem could not be found using criteria 'id=310'.

A Metadata Exception was constructed in App Domain '/LM/W3SVC/1098315274/Root-1-128643877466177452'. The full exception text is: LobSystem could not be found using criteria 'id=322'.

A Metadata Exception was constructed in App Domain '/LM/W3SVC/1098315274/Root-1-128643877466177452'. The full exception text is: LobSystem could not be found using criteria 'id=322'.

A Metadata Exception was constructed in App Domain '/LM/W3SVC/1098315274/Root-1-128643877466177452'. The full exception text is: LobSystem could not be found using criteria 'id=322'.

Any ideas?

Answer 31

Hey there, got the same problem, but resolved it by taking the FindAll_xxxx method from type IdEnumerator to Finder. It showed up.

Only issue now is that I'm getting
Found in Event Viewer

The login failed.
Login failed for user 'NT AUTHORITY\ANONYMOUS LOGON'. I'll poke about this forum to find a solution for that. Hope it helps someone else in the future.

----

Okay, I spoke to soon, I created the file again and tried the same thing and poof, didn't work. Grrr!

Answer 32

with the user name issue, try defining a user name and password within the application definition file. If you are using SSO, make sure the SSO application is set up in the application definition file. Otherwise, I think you are logging in to the server as anonymous and do not have access to what you are trying to get.

Answer 33

By chance does your solution work for un-authenticated users?

Answer 34

Check this for a complete BDC example..


http://dotnetdreamer.wordpress.com/category/moss-2007/

Thanks,
Ramprasad

Answer 35

Here's my issue -

Using BDC Meta Man - No Problem with File

Upload - No errors

BDC Web Part works fine when adding it to the Shared Service Provider Administration Site Collection, does not work for any other site collections in the same SSP pool, regardless of permissions settings. Still getting error:

  Event Type:    Error
Event Source:    Office SharePoint Server
Event Category:    Business Data
Event ID:    5699
Date:        9/26/2008
Time:        3:02:01 PM
User:        N/A
Computer:    MOSS-DV
Description:
A Metadata Exception was constructed in App Domain '/LM/W3SVC/170705818/Root-1-128669299928155353'. The full exception text is: LobSystem could not be found using criteria 'id=1180'.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.