SharePoint : Webpart

What is a webpart?

Web Parts are an integrated set of controls for creating sites that enable end users to modify the content, appearance, and behavior of Web pages directly from a browser. They are unit of functionalities that can be used across multiple sites and pages and can be configured by the user.

Webparts are similar to widgets. Webpart gives a lot of flexibility to Content editors to create unique webpages. Some of the webparts also allow to query and present data from other sources within SharePoint.
Custom webparts can be created using ASP.Net to develop functionality not available in the default webparts.

Web Parts contain a set of common configurable properties called base class properties. These properties are organized into various sections in the tool page. Given below are the common s
ections of a webpart:

Appearance	Title Specifies the title of the Web Part that is displayed in the Web Part title bar.   Height & Width Allows users to define the physical size of webpart. By default the webpart height and width are not fixed but user can choose to fix it and provide size. Size can be defined as •Centimeters •Inches •Millimeters •Points •Picas •Pixels (the default)   Chrome State This property helps you define whether webpart should be displayed in minimized state or normal   Chrome Type This property gives you option to define which components of the webpart needs to be displayed ·None - Displays the content, but not the title bar and frame ·Title Bar and Border - Displays the title bar, content, and frame select. ·Title Bar Only- Displays the title bar and content, but no frame ·Border Only- Displays the border and content onl
Layout	Hidden When checked, makes the webpart invisible on the page   Direction This option specifies the direction of the text in the Web Part content. Based on the language used on the site you can change the direction of text to Left-to-right or right-to-left. Zone This option defines the zone of the webpart page where the webpart will be loaded Zone Index This option defines the position of the webpart within the zone it is located.
Advanced	Allow Minimize Specifies whether or not the Web Part can be minimized.    Allow Close Specifies whether or not the Web Part can be removed from the Web Part Page. Allow hide Specifies whether or not the Web Part can be hidden on the Web Part Page Allow Zone change Specifies whether or not the Web Part can be moved to a different zone on the Web Part Page. Allow connections Specifies whether connection from/to the webpart can be made from other webparts Allow editing in personal view This setting will allow users with appropriate permissions to edit only when they are in their personal view. Title URL Specifies the URL of a file containing optional information about the Web Part. The file is displayed in a separate browser window when you click the Web Part title. Type a file path or hyperlink in the text box if you wish to have another browser window open to display this additional information. Description Specifies the ScreenTip that appears when you rest the mouse pointer on the Web Part title or Web Part icon. Help URL (link) Specifies the location of a Web or file containing help information about a specific Web Part. Help mode Specifies the type of Help window that will be used to display the Help topics. Catalog image icon URL Specifies the location of a file containing a small Web Part icon. Title icon image URL Specifies the icon to be shown on the title bar of the webpart Import error messages  Specifies the error message in case of failure to import the webpart. Target Audiences You can define the webpart to visible to only a particular set of audience using this property.

Apart from the properties shown above, webparts may have some properties very specific to them. These properties can again be grouped into separate sections are can be put in miscellaneous section.

How to modify webpart properties?

1. Navigate to the relevant page.
2. Click the Site Actions button to display the menu.
3. Select Edit Page.
4. On the relevant web part, click the dropdown arrow to show the Web Part Edit Menu.
5. Select Edit Web Part to display the web part task pane.
6. Make the required changes.
7. Click OK.

Webpart behaviour

Based on how webpart is configured on the page, the webpart may behave differently on the page

Shared mode

On a webpage, if the webpart is configured and added to the shared view of page, all the users who have access to the page will be able to see the webpart.

Personal mode

Users can personalize a page by clicking “Personalize this page” link on the user menu. Any changes done to page in this mode are only visible to the user who modified it. The webpart in personal view can be configured by the user and these changes will not be visible to anyone else.

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