Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Unleashed

External Data

The second means by which external content types can be consumed in SharePoint sites is through External Data columns. An External Data column basically provides a hybrid between a SharePoint list and an external list. External Data starts with any basic SharePoint list. The following steps use the SharePoint issues list with an external column to connect each issue to one of Adventure Works’ customers:

1. In the SharePoint site, select the View All Site Content option from the Site Actions menu.
2. In the All Site Content page, click Create.
3. In the Create page, select Issues Tracking. In the Name box, type Customer Complaints and click Create.
4. Once the list is created, click the List Ribbon, and click the Create Column icon.
5. Type