SharePoint 4.0: Content Type Column Does Not Display in Datasheet View

Thanks to Glyn Clough for suggesting the correct answer to this over Twitter!

Description

When creating a Datasheet View in SharePoint Server 2010 and choosing to display the Content Type column in the view, the Content Type does not appear in the view.

In this Datasheet View Definition, the Content Type column is in position #4.

The Content Type column does not display in the Datasheet View.

This is especially frustrating when working with documents in bulk because you would want the ability to modify the Content Type of multiple documents at one time.  When the Content Type column doesn't display in Datasheet View, it is not possible to modify the Content Type of multiple documents at once.

Solution

The solution is to modify the Datasheet View and set the Content Type column to position #1.

1.  Navigate to the SharePoint site where the Document Library is located.
2.  Site Actions > View All Site Content.
3.  Click on the Document Library to open the default view.
4.  On the Ribbon, click on the Library tab.
5.  On the Ribbon, click on Library Settings.
6.  Beneath the Views heading, click on the Datasheet View, or the Standard View you would like to open in Datasheet mode.
7.  Set the Content Type column to display in position #1.
8.  Click OK to save the changes.

In this Datasheet View definition, the Content Type column is in position #1.

The Content Type column does, indeed, display in the Datasheet View.

References

Clough (2011).  Glyn Clough's Blog - All About Microsoft SharePoint.  Retrieved August 29, 2011 from http://www.glynblogs.com.

SharePoint 4.0: Unable to Open PDF Files in Edit Mode from Document Library

Description

SharePoint users having Adobe Acrobat Professional expect to be able to open PDF files in Edit Mode, directly from a SharePoint document library.  These users are not able to open PDF files in Edit Mode.  When attempting to edit a PDF document directly from a SharePoint Document Library, they receive the error message, "The document could not be opened for editing."

Solution

The issue may be corrected by modifying the Require Check Out setting of the Document Library.

1.  Navigate to the SharePoint site where the Document Library is located.
2.  Site Actions > View All Site Content.
3.  Click on the Document Library to open the default view.
4.  On the Ribbon, click on the Library tab.
5.  On the Ribbon, click on Library Settings.
6.  Beneath the General Settings heading, click on Versioning Settings.
7.  Note the current setting for Require Check Out.  If Require documents to be checked out before they can be edited? is set to No, change this to Yes.
8.  Click OK to save the configuration change.
9.  From the Document Library, invoke the Document Context Menu by hovering the mouse over the title of the PDF document.  Check out a PDF document.
10.  Open the Document Context Menu again, and select to Edit Document (assumes that Adobe Acrobat Professional is installed on client computer).

Refer to Check out and edit a file for more information on the "Use my local drafts folder" prompt.


Reference

Adobe (2011).  Which Acrobat X Software is right for you?  Retrieved August 29, 2011 from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat.html.

Microsoft Office (2011).  Check out and edit a file.  Retrieved August 29, 2011 from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-sharepoint-services-help/check-out-and-edit-a-file-HA010153570.aspx

Error: Microsoft SQL Server: Cannot connect to (local)

Description

Error when attempting to log into SQL Server Management Studio:  "Cannot connect to (local)."

Solution

As the error message indicates, the SQL Server is not accessible.  The issue may be caused by one of the following:

1)  Issue with Server Connection Configuration

Start > All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Configuration Manager

Verify the correct protocols are configured (this will vary based on type of environment).  Refer to Microsoft TechNet article, Choosing a Network Protocol, for further assistance with this topic.

2)  Issue with Service Account Authentication
Start > Administrative Tools > Services
Verify that the SQL Server (MSSQLServer) Service is running.  If it is not running, try to start it.  Make sure the Service Account credentials are properly configured and that the account is not locked out.

References

Microsoft TechNet (August, 2011).  Choosing a Network Protocol.  Retrieved August 29, 2011 from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187892.aspx.