Understanding Web Parts


A SharePoint site is really just an area that exists solely to house and store information used by its members. That information is presented to the users through logical components added to the site. These components, known as Web Parts, display useful information and provide functionality for the users in the site. For example, a Web Part can display the top-10 issues for a project, or simply display the weather forecast.

Web Parts are a critical component for any SharePoint site because they present information in a way that makes it useful. If only raw data was presented on a site, users would be overwhelmed trying to sort through all the available information.

By default, several different types of Web Parts come standard with Windows SharePoint Services:

  • Content Editor Web Part This Web Part is used for formatting text, tables and images. This is an extremely useful Web Part because you can cut from documents with rich text, images, and links and paste them into the Web Part. The formatting will stay the same, and no special coding is required.

  • Form Web Part This Web Part can be used to create simple HTML forms. The results of the forms can then be input directly into your Site Content area. You can create the forms in FrontPage or even use straight HTML and just cut and paste the HTML code directly into the Web Part.

  • XML Web Part This Web Part is extremely valuable because it can be customized and coded for almost the same type of behavior as a regular web server. Simply by cutting and pasting the HTML or XML code into this Web Part, you can create your own customized Web Part functionality.

  • Document Library/List Web Parts These Web Parts are created for each of your document libraries and lists, and they provide for a default view of their contents. Although not the most glamorous, these Web Parts are key to a successful site.



    Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft SharePoint 2003 in 10 Minutes
    Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft SharePoint 2003 in 10 Minutes
    ISBN: 672327236
    EAN: N/A
    Year: 2004
    Pages: 181

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