A SharePoint REST API Tester with an AJAX and Workflow Writer

 

A JavaScript project to use with a Content Editor Web Part to test SharePoint REST API calls, and create AJAX sample code and SharePoint Designer 2013 Workflow steps. It includes over 40 ready to test samples to query SharePoint and to create and delete items, folders, lists and sites.

While learning the SharePoint REST API, I created a little REST tester Content Editor Web Part. Later when I explored SharePoint 2013 Workflow REST calls I expanded the tool to include step by step instructions to add the calls to a workflow. After presenting this at the Cincinnati SharePoint User Group and at the Nashville SharePoint Saturday I decided to take the time to clean it up a bit and share it here.

What you will need:

• A SharePoint 2013 or later site.
• A web part page with a Content Editor Web Part.
• The JavaScript file. (has a .html extension so you can edit it in SPD.)
• Permissions to access the content you want to access using REST!
• Some documentation:
  • A REST Syntax wall poster: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=41147
  • REST API reference and samples: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/office/jj860569.aspx

You can also download the file from the GitHub project.

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This is the main screen.

This is partial list of the sample REST calls. A more complete list is at the end of this article, and I’ll be adding more over time.

 

The in the page test of a REST call.

 

The generated AJAX Code Sample

 

The SharePoint 2013 Workflow Steps for the Web Service Call

 

Steps to install to your SharePoint Site

1. If your master page is not already loading jQuery, download jQuery (just about any version) and upload to the Site Pages library. 
2. Download the SharePointRESTtester.html file to your PC. 
3. Edit the file and update the line that loads jQuery to point your jQuery file or CDN.
4. If your master page already loads jQuery, then delete the <script> block that loads the jQuery file.(the first line of the file)
5. Upload the SharePointRESTtester.html file to your Site Pages library. (Copy the URL to the file.)
6. Add a Web Part Page to your project:
   1. In the Site Pages library, click the FILES ribbon, click New Document and click Web Part Page.
   2. Enter a page name like "SharePointRESTtester". 
   3. From the library dropdown select Site Pages. 
   4. Click Create.
7. Click Add a Web Part. 
8. Add a Content Editor Web Part.
9. Click the web part's dropdown and click Edit Web Part.
10. Enter or paste the path to the SharePointRESTtester.html file.
11. Click OK and then in the ribbon click Stop Editing.
12. You should now see the tester. Click the dropdown and you should see data in the boxes. If not, then the jQuery library did not get loaded.
13. Add to your Quick Launch or your Follow list!

 

To use the tester…

1. Select a sample from the dropdown, or enter your own URL, Method, Header JSON and if needed, the Body JSON.
2. Find the Do It! button. The first check box will actually run the code. *** Warning Will Robinson, stuff could get added, changed or deleted! ***
3. The second and third checkboxes simple hide or show the JavaScript Ajax code and the SharePoint 2013 workflow steps.

 

SharePoint REST Examples for Queries

• Get information about the current site collection.
• Get information about the current web.
• Get the Regional Settings for the current web.
• Get the Time Zone for the current web.
• Get SharePoint's list of Time Zones.
• Get a list of all webs below the current web.
• Get the primary site collection administrator (Owner).
• Get the primary site collection Secondary Contact.
• Get a web's LastItemModifiedDate
• Get a list of lists from the current web. (all data)
• Get a list of lists from the current web. (Just the title)
• Get a count of items in a library.
• Get a count of items in a library. (Option #2)
• Get all items in a list/library.
• Get all items in a library with filename and path.
• Get a list folder's properties.
• Get a count of items in a list folder.
• Get all items in a list/library filtered by date.
• Get all items in web level recycle bin.
• Get selected properties of all items in web level recycle bin.
• Get all items in a list/library filtered by a range of dates.
• Search
• People Search

SharePoint REST Examples for Lists

• Create a new list
• Add a new item to a list
• Add a new folder to a list
• Delete an item from a list using ID
• Delete an item, to the Recycle Bin, from a list using ID
• Update an item using ID
• Delete a list
• Delete a list to the Recycle Bin

SharePoint REST Examples for Sites

• Create a new subsite.
• Delete a site (Warning Will Robinson! Does not go to the Recycle Bin!)

SharePoint REST Examples for User Profiles

• Get User Profile info about the current user.
• Get all User Profile properties for a user.
• Get User Profile info about a user's manager.

SharePoint REST Examples for Permissions

• Get a list of Role Definitions for a site.
• Get a list of Site Users. The ID is useful when setting permissions.
• Get a list of Site Groups. The ID is useful when setting permissions.
• Get a list of Site Groups by name.
• Get a list of Site Groups where name contains 'string'.
• Break inheritance on a subsite.
• Break inheritance on a list.
• Break inheritance on a list item.
• Grant permissions (Role Assignment) on a list.
• Remove permissions (Role Assignment) on a list.

SharePoint REST Examples for Filter Select and OrderBy

• Get a list of Site Users who are not Site Collection admins. Get selected fields and sort.

SharePoint REST Examples for SharePoint 2010 style REST - _vti_bin/ListData.svc

• Get a list of lists and libraries (EntitySets).
• Find list items greater than a date.
• Find list items between two dates.

 

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