SharePoint Workflow error

Tech Trek – 2017 February

PROBLEM:
User encounters a runtime error when initiating workflows, i.e. nothing happens or failure occurs when attempting to transfer files (via OfficialFile.asmx Web service). Re-executing the workflow would result into the expected behavior.

ROOT CAUSE:
The issue typically happens after a SharePoint upgrade or patch has been applied. As this affects only a certain component, this behavior may not be apparent after the update.

RESOLUTION:

  1. Open SharePoint LOGS folder and check the affected log file at the time the event occurred to see if the following Unexpected error is present:
    <Error>
    <CompilerError Line=”0″ Column=”0″
    Text=”Type Microsoft.SharePoint.Workflow.SPWorkflowTaskProperties,
    Microsoft.SharePoint,
    Version=15.0.0.0,
    Culture=neutral,
    PublicKeyToken=71e9bce111e9429c is not marked as authorized in the application configuration file.” />
    </Error>
  2. Compare entry differences of the most recent web_<date/time>.BAK using a text comparison tool like WinMerge or WinDiff.
  3. Open web.config in the Web Front-end server at the following location and add/correct the affected component.
    C:\inetpub\wwwroot\wss\VirtualDirectories\<port number><System.Workflow.ComponentModel.WorkflowCompiler>
    <authorizedTypes>
    <targetFx version=”v4.0″>
    …
    <authorizedType Assembly=”Microsoft.SharePoint, Version=15.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=71e9bce111e9429c” Namespace=”Microsoft.SharePoint.Workflow” TypeName=”SPWorkflowTaskProperties” Authorized=”True” />
    </targetFx>
    </authorizedTypes>
    </System.Workflow.ComponentModel.WorkflowCompiler>
  4. Perform an iisreset.

I’ve highlighted Version=15.0.0.0 since usually this entry reverts back to 14.0.0.0 in the SharePoint web.config file which causes the unauthorized issue.

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SharePoint files moved into root folder

Tech Trek – 2016 January

PROBLEM –
Users reporting that files are missing in their respective child folders, and eventually being moved into the root folder of the document library.

TROUBLESHOOTING –

  1. Identify if the affected SP 2013 site/library is being accessed via SharePoint Workspace (formerly Groove) client and your content is not over these file restrictions.
  2. Make sure that the following patch is applied for Workspace 2010 client
    SharePoint Workspace 2010 hotfix – February, 2012
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2597939
  3. To temporarily address the automatic transfer into the root folder –
    Set Offline Client Availability to No under Advanced Settings for the affected Document Library.Missing-Files-Offline

RESOURCES –

MS Excel Add-Ins

Tech Trek – 2016.03.14

PROBLEM –
One or more MS Excel COM Add-Ins are not loaded correctly even after enabling items in Excel Options dialog.

RESOLUTION –

  1. Check whether the add-in is listed under Disabled Items in File … Excel Options.

    Excel-COMAddIns

  2. Otherwise, open registry editor and find the affected Add-Ins in the following registry key path. Change the LoadBehavior value data into 3 (Load at Startup).

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins\
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins\Excel-LoadBehavior

DISCLAIMER:
Make registry updates with care since changes can render your system into an unusable state. Make sure you have a system restore point, or necessary backup before doing changes.

Drag & Drop is not working for SP2013

Tech Trek – 2015.09.28

One of the nice features of SharePoint 2013 is the ability to perform drag & drop file uploads. This is a quicker option from Upload Multiple Documents (known as Upload files using Windows Explorer instead — now that’s a mouthful).

DragAndDropError

PROBLEM –
Drag & drop function is not working for certain users in any SharePoint 2013 site even though this operation works for others. Files will not being displayed, or uploaded after file drop operation was successfully completed.

RESOLUTION –
Here are the steps to perform to resolve this issue:

  1. Make sure prerequisites are installed in the affected PC – see list below.
  2. Check if SharePoint-related extensions are enabled under Manage add-ons in Internet Explorer.
    DragAndDropAddons.png
  3. Use an alternate web browser to check if file uploads can be successful.
  4. If everything else is fails, check if the machine was previously upgraded from Office 2010 under Programs and Features of Control Panel. Perform an MS Office Repair if multiple versions exist.

SOFTWARE PREREQUISITES –

  • Internet Explorer 10 or higher
  • Internet Explorer 8 or 9 with MS Office 2013 installed
  • Latest version of Firefox or Google Chrome web browser that supports HTML 5 standards

 

SharePoint Checkbox Yes and Empty (No) values

Tech Trek – 2014.07.02

PROBLEM —
SharePoint defaults into “No” (false) value when Checkbox column is not selected. A user requested that it will be easier to isolate “Yes” (true) value when having a Checkbox column. This got me into my thinking cap, so why not?

WORKAROUND —
You can create a Choice column instead with only one item e.g. Yes, in order, to display empty values when users doesn’t select a value. Make this an optional column and leave the default value as blank. You can choose whether to use a drop down style, or checkbox to display the control.

Nice and easy …