K2 Concepts - What is a K2 Content Field?
A K2 Content Field is an XML field, with an associated schema that functions as a place holder for storing and manipulating data. The Content Field itself represents where a designated item can be located in SharePoint, for example a document library. At runtime the Content Field's metadata can be viewed and will provide the values associated with the field for example a URL pointing to a form within a SharePoint forms library.
A Content Field consists of a:
- Source, where it comes from, which enables backward mapping between various Document libraries, Record Centers and Lists
- Destination where the Content Field is updated
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Content Fields are schema dependent |
Where do you find the K2 Content Field?
The Content Field is located in the Process > Activity Data tab in the Object Browser. Where multiple items need to be represented, a repeating node is used. Shown in figure 3 below, the image describes how each document stored in the content field will be represented in the repeating nodes of the XML.
How do you create a K2 Content Field?
There are two methods to create a Content Field:
- Certain of the SharePoint wizards display a Create button next to the Content Field box that will allow you to create the field as shown below:
Fig 1. Creating an "ExampleA" Content Field
The newly created ExampleA Content Field will appear in the Process/Activity Data tab in the Object Browser as shown below.
Fig 2. Content Field "ExampleA" in the Object Browser
The Content Field can be created or used in the following K2 SharePoint
Event wizards:
- SharePoint Records Management Wizard
- SharePoint Document Wizard
- SharePoint List Item Wizard
- SharePoint Search Wizard
- SharePoint Publishing Wizard
Process Wizards:
After configuring the SharePoint Workflow Integration and the SharePoint Events Process Wizards, Content Fields are automatically created. These Content Fields are displayed in the Process > Activity Data section of the Object Browser.
Fig.3. Example of a Content Field created by the SharePoint Workflow Integration Wizard
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The option to map meta data is available by right-clicking the node and selecting Add |
- Creating your own Content Field from existing schema. It is important to ensure that the schema to be used matches the K2 schema structure shown below.
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<xs:schema attributeFormDefault="unqualified" elementFormDefault="qualified" xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"> <xs:element name="Items"> <xs:complexType> <xs:sequence> <xs:element name="Item" maxOccurs="unbounded"> <xs:complexType> <xs:sequence> <xs:element name="SiteURL" /> <xs:element name="ListURL" /> <xs:element name="FolderURL" /> <xs:element name="Item" /> <xs:element name="URL" /> <xs:element name="Source"> <xs:complexType> <xs:sequence> <xs:element name="SiteURL" /> <xs:element name="Library" /> <xs:element name="Folder" /> <xs:element name="Name" /> <xs:element name="URL" /> </xs:sequence> </xs:complexType> </xs:element> </xs:sequence> <xs:attribute name="ID" type="xs:string" use="required" /> </xs:complexType> </xs:element> </xs:sequence> <xs:attribute name="Type" type="xs:string" use="required" /> </xs:complexType> </xs:element> </xs:schema>
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The ID node is for internal system use only and cannot be used as an unique identifier, rather the Item node should be used. This ID attribute is NOT the SharePoint item ID. |
Adding to an existing Content Field
Certain of the K2 SharePoint Wizards will allow the Content Field to be updated.
Fig 4. Adding a Document to "ExampleA" Content Field
How do you use the Content Field?
Locate the Content Field and drag the node or individual nodes of the Content Field onto the corresponding field on the K2 Wizard screen. It is important to remember that Content Fields can be used as an input or output field. In certain scenarios the same Content Field will be used as an input and output field in the same wizard.
