An Easy Way to Get Numerous Files Into and Out of SharePoint Document Libraries

Please be aware, if you drag-and-drop multiple files, I believe share point assumes the files are brand new so it keeps checked out explicitly under yout account. Once you drag-and-drop, set your setting to go back from "Windows Explorer" to List View" mode. After that you need to check-in all files

prabhupr70 March 18, 2009 (Article Rating: )

Thankyou for the important remainder. I should have added it to the post. Thanks again.

jianbo March 18, 2009 (Article Rating: )

Building on prabhupr70's post:

1) In my experience, if the library has required columns, then files that you drag-drop are checked out to you and invisible to everyone else until you fill in the required fields and check the files back in. Otherwise they are visible right away (except when content approval is required first). Warning, thought: If you are dropping a large number of files, it can be a huge pain to edit and check them all in individually. Read on...

2) Tip: If you switch the Datasheet View, you can bulk-update any required column entries (you can drag and paste entries like you do in Excel).

3) MOSS Tip: If you are using MOSS-std or better, a site owner (with Admin rights to that one site) can use the site admin tools to check in multiple files at once: Choose Site Actions > Manage Content and Structure, select the library from the left pane / tree view, select all files, then choose Actions > Check In.

4) WSS Tip: Plan ahead. If you'll be dragging a lot of files, either turn off the Required setting on your columns, temporarily, or else drag the files into a temporary staging library with all the same columns as your true destination. Clean up the required columns in your staging library, then copy and paste the files into your destination library (using Explorer view with both libraries). Sounds cumbersome, but it goes pretty quickly - and it's much faster than checking several dozen files in one at a time.

tbesri March 31, 2009 (Article Rating: )