Pearls of MOSSy Wisdom

 

 

 

As readers of my blog have probably noticed, I spend alot of my time in SharePoint trying to work with Variations.  You probably also noticed that I've spent alot of time trying to fix Variations' problems - espically in the Relationships List.  This is not always easy.  As it turns out, Variations is not the most stable of features in SharePoint.  So, in an effort to help make life easier, I started writing an application that would analyze existing Variations sites, make note of potential errors, and give me the opportunity to fix these problems one at a time.  Thus the Variations Editor was born.

 

 

Yes, I know there are other solutions out there to "fix" variations.  Custom STSADM commands have been released that automatically fix some problems.  I have tried these and they didn't help fix my problems.  Also, being a picky admin, I didn't like the idea that things were being fixed without my knowledge.  I like to see what all is being changed and, if I so choose, NOT make some changes.

 

The application has been completed and is now available for download from my Downloads site.  This application is offered free of charge.  And, as with most software, use this at your own risk.  I like to think that a fair trade is to offer my software for free in exchange for you not suing me for any reason.  That being said, the software is free.  Don't sue me.

 

Before I get into the details of the applicaiton, here is a screen shot.  (Click for a larger view.)

 

 

What you see is the main screen of the Variations Editor.  Some features of the Variations Editor include:

I welcome you to download and use this application if you are having trouble with SharePoint Variations.  This is a full-featured release (no "pro" version to buy later).  It's even free for consultant firms who may need a tool diagnosing and fixing clients' Variations sites. 

 

If you do use it, I welcome comments and am looking to see what the general reaction to this application is.  I believe this could be a valuable tool for SharePoint admins who have to deal with the fragility of SharePoint Variations and would love to hear from you as you use the program both to see if it suits your needs as well as to get feedback in order to make (a hopeful version 2) an even better product.

 

If you've had to deal with Variations problems and have struggled with correcting them, please let me know if this would be something worth having.

 

UPDATE (9-9-8): I have posted a beta version of the app that has a more robust reoprting page.  This version has links on the reporting page that will allow you to go from the reporting page to the diagnostics page without having to find the site/page in the tree view.  It also has pretty icons that give a more "at a glance" view of the errors/warning found.

 

UPDATE (9-11-8): Code Fix alert! Feedback is a good thing.  It makes applications better.  One comment on the Variations Editor mentioned that it did not work for site collections created with a non-English Language.  This turns out to be a problem because Microsoft, in their infinate wisdom, decided that the title of a HIDDEN list should be translated.  Thus, what is "Relationships List" in English-based sites is, for example, "Elenco relazioni" in Italian-based sites and whatever else it is translated to in other languages.  So accessing this list via the standard SPList list = web.lists["Relationships List"]; doesn't work.  Thankfully the workaround isn't awful, but still, I can't say I understand why such an important list, espicially one that is HIDDEN needs to have it's name (but not URL) translated.  Unreal.  Anyway, for those users out there who have non-English site collections, please use the VariationsEditor1.1b.zip file for your sites.  This has the code fix in it to look for Relationships Lists by URL and not by name.

 

UPDATE (9-23-8): Reporting Enhancement.  At the suggestion of a user (thanks Eric), I have added the ability to export the Summary Report as an XML file.  I chose XML for its simplicity, versitility, and because I haven't done much with exporting Excel Files.  But XML should satisfy basic reporting needs until Version 2.0 is completed.  This new feature is in the VariationsEditor1.1c.zip file.  It is in the Downloads section with the rest of the versions.

 

UPDATE (10-9-8): Manually Adding Missing GroupID.  A new feature has been added to the Variations Editor, one that is truly a beta feature.  Until now, the ability to edit the GroupID for the site items was not possible.  This was due to the fact that everything hinged on this value.  Well, this feature was needed, so I have added it to the application.  It is a bit rough, however, in that it requires you to manually enter the missing GroupID.  I have explained the process as well as a warning in the Users Manual attached with the application (in the ZIP).  While the feature works, it is very rough.  I preferred to get the feature added so that it will help those who need it instead of waiting for v2.0 to be finished.  Please read the manual to understand the limitations of this new feature.  If you have any questions about what value to put in the GroupID, please contact me.  I promise v2.0 will have this as a much more elegantly designed feautre.  The new version is in the VariationsEditor1.1d.zip file.  It is in the Downloads section with the rest of the versions.