In this article we can explore the SharePoint 2010 free tool CAML Query Builder.What is CAML?The Collaborative Markup Language (CAML) is an XML based language for querying and updating SharePoint objects. What are the Advantages of this Tool?We can see the following are the advantages of using this tool:
DownloadYou can download the tool from following location:http://www.u2u.be/res/tools/camlquerybuilder.aspx Please make sure you download the 2007 version which is working well with SharePoint 2010.Download the tool and extract the zip file to a temporary folder. Execute the setup.exe inside it and follow the wizard to install the tool.Note: The SharePoint binaries are required for working with this tool.Starting with the ToolAfter the installation execute the tool from the Start Menu or Desktop. The tool is available on Start Menu > U2U > CAML Builder > CAML Builder as shown below:On execution you will see the following screen:Enter the following details as shown above:
After entering the details click the Connect button.Note: Since the tool is for SharePoint 2007, the Connect via Object Model option cannot be used. Inside the ToolOn connecting successfully you will get the following screen:You will see that the preceding screen displays your existing Lists and Libraries. Additionally it displays the Lists & Libraries which are hidden in the Quick Launch too.Create a Contacts ListTo start, create a Contacts list of Contacts template inside your SharePoint site. Insert the following test data into it and refresh the CAML Query Builder Tool.Building your first CAML QueryNow we can try building our first query using the CAML Query Builder Tool.Here we are trying to find the list items for which the First Name contains "1".Step 1: Start the New Query paneRight-click on the Contacts list from the left side pane and choose the New Query menu.You can also use the New Query button from the tool bar.Step 2: Specify the Column ParametersFrom the pane on the right side, choose the Filter Column > First Name using the second drop down list as shown below.:Now choose the option Contains from the third drop down list. Enter the text "1" in the textbox. Note: The following are the drop down lists shown above and the purpose:
Step 3: View the CAML QueryOn performing the preceding steps you will see that the CAML Query is generated for the preceding condition. You will see the CAML Query in the bottom pane as shown below.Step 4: Executing the CAML QueryNow you are ready with the CAML Query but it is not yet tested. To test the query use the Execute query button from the top toolbar as shown below:You should be getting the results as shown above.So now you are ready with the CAML Query which is tested and can be copied to your application.Step 5: Adding OR ConditionNow we can play a little bit more by adding an OR Condition to list all the Contacts items which contains "1" or "2" in the First Name column.To do that select the Or option from the Filter drop down list.You will see that a new filter row is added to the query pane. Enter the new parameters in the new row as shown below.Step 6: Execute the New QueryNow you can try executing the preceding query and this time the result should show both the records from the Contacts list.Add Order By ElementNow we can try using the Add Order By element button. This option allows us to add the Order By CAML tags. You can specify a column and the order (ascending or descending).Create a new Query and click on the Add Order by element button from the toolbar.Choose the ID column and order as Descending.On executing the query you will see the following result:Please note that the items are now shown in the Descending order of ID values.Multiple Order By ColumnsWe can have multiple Order By columns. Use the same button again to add a new Order By CAML tag as shown below.This time we are having 2 Order by columns. The Created By column with Ascending sorting.More Options in CAML Query Builder ToolYou can explore more options in building CAML Queries using the tool like:
Referenceshttp://tinyurl.com/sp2010-camlqb SummaryIn this article we have explored the tool CAML Query Builder. In real-life scenarios this tool should give the time, cost & efficiency advantages.
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