Comments on: SharePoint: Reproducing a Roll-Up DataViewWebPart in Another Web

By: Marc Anderson

Marc Anderson — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:41:31 +0000

I guess that's a little tricky depending on what you consider a modification. You can certainly look for the most recent item "touch" in a sub-web by grabbing the one with the most recent Modified date. There's also a Modified date on every list, if that's more what your definition would be. Bottom line is, I think you can do it, and without server-side code. SPServices can even help (he said, like a broken record). The hard part is probably deciding what "Last Modified" means. M.

By: Dan Blaker

Dan Blaker — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:32:27 +0000

Marc, I’m trying to get the “Last Modified” for all the sub-webs in the current web. Would be handy for identifying stagnant sites via the same Project Site roll-up James describes.

By: Marc Anderson

Marc Anderson — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:11:44 +0000

Are you guys trying to get at the Last Modified date/time for all the items in each list? You can do this by looking at the Modified column for each Details item, right?

Also “I have an instance of this list in the main PMO web, which the roll-up draws from (then recurses), which has no information in it.” –> There doesn’t need to be a “placeholder” list (if I iunderstand what you are saying). All of the list items which match your criteria will be selected based on the scope and filters.

By: James Love

James Love — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:31:50 +0000

Hi Dan,

Yes, each sub web has a list called Details from a Content Type, with one row of data for that particular project.

I have an instance of this list in the main PMO web, which the roll-up draws from (then recurses), which has no information in it.

This also works if this Details List has multiple rows in it, which I use to store “historical” projects’ details, for user reference.

My PMO also hides rows from the roll-up where the Project Status is marked as “Completed”, and also highlights overdue projects, or projects for a specific customer.

I agree that the lack of ability to pick up the “Last Modified” column in ViewLists would be incredibly useful for this architecture, I might see if I can find out more information on this.

By: Dan Blaker

Dan Blaker — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 02:57:53 +0000

So in your case you have a custom list named “Details” in each sub-web. Is there just a single row of data in each “Details” list? If that list holds metadata about the sub-web, I don’t see how you’d want more than one row.

Ideally, I’d like a dashboard that resembles what you get when you click “Sites” in the sidebar of a Team site (i.e., viewlsts.aspx?ShowSites=1), except with more columns (e.g. “Budget”, “Project Status”) in addition to “Last Modified”, etc.

If I’m understanding it correctly, your approach is a clever workaround to the lack of metadata for a web. It’s too bad you can’t pick up the “Last Modified” field, but otherwise it’s very cool.

By: Christophe

Christophe — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 01:03:43 +0000

Dan, I have some information on my blog, including templates available for download:
http://blog.pathtosharepoint.com/?s=roll-up

I have yet to write parts III and IV…

By: James Love

James Love — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:38:08 +0000

Apologies, I meant “Webs Scope = Recursive”.

Again, feel free to ask for a detailed how-to if you need a hand.

By: James Love

James Love — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:34:53 +0000

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the kind comment! It sounds like you have a set up very similar to what I’m running – a PMO Web with a sub web for each project.

You’ll need to make sure each sub web has a List made from a Site Content Type (Or a List Template).

I’d strongly recommend reading Laura Roger’s post on creating a roll-up web part. Ignore the details on Grouping the results, and ensure you add the Webs Recursive = Webs statement to the selectCommand, and also set the Data Source Mode to CrossList within the Code view.

If you’ve read through that and are still stuck, just let me know and I’ll be happy to describe the process in detail, as well as adding a couple of flourishes I’ve added to my “PMO Dashboard” roll-up which enhances user experience.

By: Dan Blaker

Dan Blaker — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:35:47 +0000

Nice post! Great tips. I’m curious about your original roll-up which “recurses sub-webs to provide details”. How does that work? I’m working on a similar PMO site where I’ve got a subsite for each project, but I’m not sure how best to embed or surface metadata for each site.