There are several steps to setup a new Filer configuration, the initial steps in this process involve setting up some lists and libraries with their respective columns and content types. The second step in this process is to create site columns which will be covered in this article.
These site columns will be used to define metadata against record documents and will also facilitate the mapping of properties so a relationship can be formed between records and documents relating to them.
Creating Site Columns
- Navigate to the SharePoint site which you have setup for this configuration.
- From the Home page of your site, select the ‘Settings’ icon from the top right of the site.
- From this menu select ‘Site Contents’
- From this screen select ‘Site settings’
- Then select ‘Site columns.
- Now select ‘Create’.
- You will now be able to add the details of your column, including a name (required), column type, a group and then some additional optional settings, for your first column select ‘New group’ under the Group category.
- Add in a name for the group.
- Proceed with adding the other details as desired, when adding the column name ensure you follow this naming convention: _filer_[ColumnNameHere] where [ColumnNameHere] is replaced with the actual name you want to give the column. We will rename this later, so it looks more visually appealing, but it is important that the internal name is set as per this convention at this stage.
- Scroll down the page and select ‘OK’.
- Once you have selected this you will be returned to the site columns page again, repeat steps 6-10 however under the group category select ‘Existing Group’ and choose the group you created when you configured your first column.
- Once you have created all the columns that you require, select the ‘Show Group’ dropdown and then choose the category you set up for your columns.
- Select the names of one of your columns.
- Now the column is created, and the internal name is set, we can change the column name to something more visually appealing.
- Scroll down and then select ‘OK’.
- Now repeat steps 12-15 to change the other column names as desired.