I had some time over my lunch break today to put in a lot of fixes, code improvements, and new features. In no particular order of importance, there were three big things done:

Code Improvements – I added improved exception handling, principally for resolving particular Types of exceptions, avoiding the use of a catch all Exception type. Beyond that, bloat reduction and reuse in terms of static method extraction, general refactoring, etc.

Exceedingly generic methods are used for everything non-specific to the gathering of the org chart data, such as major rendering methods since values in a DataTable (according to Google Visualization API specifications) are really the only thing changing.

General Fixes With The Last Version – People were getting an ArgumentException bubble up in the last version that occurred on particular SharePoint patch levels. This has been mended in this version. It was my fault; I only had one platform to test with at the time because I wrote the first version over a lunch break at a client. But hey, it was labeled in the versioning output as a checked/debug build.

Active Directory Integration – Yea! This version offers a toggling in the WebPart properties allowing a user to specify which mode they want to run SimpleChart in, either SharePointListMode or ActiveDirectoryMode. Each of these requires the hydration of their relevant properties, i.e. SharePointListMode requires the appropriate SharePoint List and Column Values, and ActiveDirectoryMode requires knowing which domain to query against. I added the Group Restriction option as a property because just laying out a domain in an org chart is frankly ludicrous. For any reasonably sized organization that would hardly be useful. However, it is prevalent within orthodox organizations to have Active Directory groups that are representative of divisions or other logical groupings within a company so this seemed like the most practical approach.

So, for those that like exhaustive illustrations before they download something, here is the WebPart in action.

Firstly, let’s start using SharePoint lists as a datasource follows the same pattern that is detailed in the first version of this WebPart here. That post has the solution install instructions so I am not going to rehash that.

When you first add the WebPart, the default mode it will function in is SharePointListMode. You will be informed that the required properties for the WebPart to function have not been adequately provided.

So you have to go fill these in! For this exercise I am using the SharePoint List Template (.stp) as detailed in the last version post as a datasource since it already has the relevant values for testing. When you open the properties, make sure you got the right version deployed by examining the versioning editor part located at the top of pane. Your version should be *2.0.0.1*.

Going off that same template, im going to make a new list off it:

Then fill in all the relevant properties for normal functioning based on the list data source. Same as last version, nothing fancy here. Remember to put the list name in too even though the below is simply showing the column hydration for brevity reasons.

When completed, you will see the org chart rendered! You just made art. Kinda.

Now it’s time to demonstrate the Active Directory integration. Firstly, you have to examine the new properties that allow the org chart to render out correctly.

1. Specifies the rendering mode, whether you want the org chart to target either a SharePoint list or an Active Directory data source.
2. This is still the list to use when in SharePointListMode.
3. The domain to query into when using Active Directory mode.
4. The name of the group to restrict the org chart to. This can be a division, grouping, anything really. This allows several org charts to be tailored to specific divisional taxonomy’s rather than making a master domain org chart that provides literally zero value. Unless you have like 5 people in your company.

Firstly, change the rendering mode to use ActiveDirectoryMode.

Now fill in the remainder of the properties based on your environment.

The group you choose is pretty flexible. Since I am using the Microsoft provided VM I am actually going to change “Guests” t0  “Litware Contractors”. That only has two people so should cultivate a nominal display.

Now, mapping the name in the WebPart properties:

 And now displaying the sexiness that is esoteric business material, the resulting org chart:

And that’s it! The WebPart is free, but any backlinks or examples of your use, even in the comments, is always neat because it equates to my satisfaction as a developer.

DOWNLOAD THE SIMPLECHART V2 INSTALLATION PACKAGE

Let me know if you have problems in the comments

Article Or Research Filed Under SharePoint Development.

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40 Comments »

1. [...] You can download the new version here. [...]

   Pingback by ARB Security Solutions » Free SharePoint Organizational Chart WebPart – SimpleChart for SharePoint — October 16, 2009 @ 1:01 pm

2. 

   Great! Installed without a problem. Active Directory mode is nice, and you are correct, the group restriction option is crucial.

   Comment by James — October 18, 2009 @ 5:05 am

3. 

   This is a fantastic addition! Could you take it a step further and pull some standard fields from the AD profile of the users, like what is done in list mode? The username of jdoe or jsmith isn’t as useful as the name and number. =D

   Thanks a ton for making this and keep up the good work!

   Comment by Jonathan Adams — October 18, 2009 @ 10:16 am

4. [...] SimpleChart (Org Chart WebPart) For SharePoint V2 – Now With Active Directory [...]

   Pingback by Links (10/18/2009) « Steve Pietrek – Everything SharePoint — October 18, 2009 @ 5:31 pm

5. 

   Good idea! I believe I will extend the mapping to the AD org chart generation, and implement a search feature as well.

   Comment by adam — October 19, 2009 @ 9:05 am

6. 

   +1 on the column mapping. It would be nice if you got the exact same org chart regardless of the mode that you are using to promote conformity.

   The search would be nice too, but not nearly as nice as having the above

   Comment by Derek — October 19, 2009 @ 9:17 am

7. 

   Do you need to have SP2 for MOSS in order for the web part to work? I have SP2 on my UAT envrionment and it works but not on my PROD.

   Comment by Kevin — October 20, 2009 @ 7:06 am

8. 

   It shouldn’t be service pack dependent anymore, I removed all the binding references.

   What is the error you are getting on your prod environment?

   Comment by adam — October 20, 2009 @ 7:48 am

9. 

   I have deployed the solution and it shows up in the solution management and it shows that it is deployed to all site collections but when I go into the sites the web part does not show up as an option.

   Comment by Kevin — October 21, 2009 @ 7:39 am

10. 

    @ Kevin:

    I see, you have activated the Feature? The Feature contains the modules (the .webpart file) that when activated are added into the gallery.

    Worse comes to worse, you can just “new” it up once deployed. Just go to your WP gallery, hit “New”, checkbox box and populate the SimpleChart assembly.

    Comment by adam — October 21, 2009 @ 8:49 am

11. 

    Hi Adam not sure why it was not showing up but I have gone in and forced it from the Web Part gallery. Thanks for your help on this one. Another quick question is there anyway to create your own custom list and use those fields instead of the template? I have tried but I have gotten errors from the custom lists that I have created. What essentially we want is an URL field for their MySites and do you know any reason why the country shows up twice?

    Comment by Kevin — October 21, 2009 @ 9:58 am

12. 

    You should be able to use any fields you want, but some are specialized according to the Google API stuff. Oddly enough, I believe that if you input a US state as a piece of the DataTable passed in, it assumes US and tacks that on the end, which isn’t the case when using other countries. I think that I will have to either drop the country field, or think of another approach to toggle based on the values in the DataTable.

    Long and short of it is you should be able to use whatever data you want in the display. I thought about integrating MySites as a seperate element on it. Do you think this would be a good feature?

    Comment by adam — October 22, 2009 @ 11:20 am

13. 

    Sorry for the bother. I have installed and everything seems to have gone smoothly until I try to link it to a imported list. It seems that no matter what I put in the “List to Use” box, all I get is “Please Add Items To The Org Chart list” on the web part itself. I can leave it blank, fill it with garbage, or use a valid existing list name… always the same results. Any ideas? I’m probably missing something ever so rediculous, but I’m starting to lose my mind at this point.

    Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

    Comment by nestor — October 27, 2009 @ 1:29 pm

14. 

    Not a problem. Part of releasing the software is committing yourself to supporting it

    When linking it to a list, are you filling in the column values in the WebPart properties?

    Comment by adam — October 27, 2009 @ 1:32 pm

15. 

    Hi again, sorry for the delay in responding, but I was trying to troubleshoot a bit before I sent along more info. It looks like when I fill in the column values in the WebPart properties (Column Configuration), the values that I enter must match the headings exactly (eg. for Employee ID I must enter “Employee ID”, Employee Name I must enter “Employee Name”, etc. all the way down the line). If I deviate and use the column name that exists in the sharepoint list (eg. insted of Manager ID I used Supervisor ID in the list column heading, I get the message “Please Add Items To The Org Chart list” again.

    I know I must be doing something wrong, but, for the life of me, I do not have a clue what that would be.

    Thanks again for your help.

    Comment by nestor — October 28, 2009 @ 9:39 am

16. 

    additionally, the Employee Country field duplicates as in your example above. Ideally I would be able to map my fields rather than have to use only those specified in the properties window. Not sure if I can do that.

    Comment by nestor — October 28, 2009 @ 9:44 am

17. 

    I also just noticed that the Employee Phone Number does not display either.

    Comment by nestor — October 28, 2009 @ 9:59 am

18. 

    Adam, the install.bat file runs just fine, indicating success at each point. However, in the end nothing appears in the GAC or bin or Features node of the hive. No surprise that I then have no OrgChart feature to activate.

    Any ideas?

    Comment by Michael Broschat — October 30, 2009 @ 4:29 pm

19. 

    I figured out what I needed to do to install the OrgChart solution.

    I looked at Gary LaPointe’s SharePoint Automation, where he shows the sequence of STSADM commands he uses for installation (his utilities had installed fine on my system). Most significantly, there was a -deploysolution command after the -addsolution command. So, I added this to your install.bat:

    stsadm.exe -o deploysolution -name arb.SharePoint.SimpleChart.wsp -immediate -allowgacdeployment -allcontenturls

    Worked fine.

    Comment by michael broschat — October 31, 2009 @ 4:17 am

20. 

    Adam, your project has my HR department literally salivating!!! Any word on the AD field mapping?

    Comment by Jonathan Adams — November 1, 2009 @ 8:27 am

21. 

    Almost done with it. I am trying to get it so it can work in a mixed mode fashion, meaning hybrid data from both AD and a list with toggable options of what should be overriden.

    Comment by adam — November 1, 2009 @ 8:56 am

22. 

    You, sir, doth rock!

    Comment by Jonathan Adams — November 1, 2009 @ 10:41 am

23. 

    Hi nestor
    I am also having the same problem
    “Please Add Items To The Org Chart list”
    What am doing wrong? anyone could help me?

    Comment by Suresh — November 12, 2009 @ 5:35 am

24. 

    Same problem like other: Always the error “Please add items to the Org Chart List” in ListMode.
    I try to use an existing Contact-list. Added necessary columns (like Manager ID) and filled in the corresponding fieldnames into the configuration of the WebPart. What is wrong?

    Comment by Udo — November 16, 2009 @ 3:13 am

25. 

    Does this work in WSS 3.0? there is no mention of what version this webpart works with. All it says is SharePoint. Is this only for MOSS as it doesn’t work with WSS.

    Comment by Confused — December 24, 2009 @ 7:04 am

26. 

    I am using WSS 3.0 with SP2, but I find no mention here about what versions of SharePoint this webpart is for. There are references only to MOSS in the comments but I am still puzzled. I run the install with no problem, but the webpart doesn’t show up anywhere.

    Comment by Confused — December 24, 2009 @ 7:10 am

27. 

    I have the same problem, I have WSS 3.0 also. It work with the AD but the not DataSource and cna’t use another list.

    Adam wath is the solution for that?

    Tanks for your time bro!

    Comment by Salazar — January 5, 2010 @ 10:51 pm

28. 

    Great job thank u..

    Comment by Eddie — January 8, 2010 @ 12:00 am

29. 

    Same problem as many are facing “Please Add Items To The Org Chart list”. Please help what could be the reason. All columns and even list name is same. Waiting for solution.

    Comment by confused with Organization structure — January 12, 2010 @ 11:18 pm

30. 

    DONE!!!

    Just created a list using template provided in last post at: http://www.sharepointsecurity.com/sharepoint/sharepoint-development/free-sharepoint-organizational-chart-webpart-simplechart-for-sharepoint/

    and it worked so beautifully!!!

    Thanks.

    Comment by confused with Organization structure — January 12, 2010 @ 11:57 pm

31. 

    Ok but I try created a list using your template provided in last post but not work. The .spt file upload good in the template library but not work… I dont know… is possible that not work in a WSS 3.0 spanish version…???

    Thanks.

    Comment by Salazar — January 14, 2010 @ 9:31 pm

32. 

    This has the potential to be a really great webpart. You have done a great job with this.

    Now, for the part where the user wants more than you have offered.

    1) I love the tie-in to AD, but it just isn’t useful for us at this time. The problem is that it only pulls back the Account name. If we could select which AD fields to display, then I might be able to use this.

    2) It would also be nice to have some control over the depth of the chart. Our AD is fairly granular, and it looks like the chart only goes one level deep.

    3) This is probably not a major issue, but it seems that you can only have one instance of the webpart per page. If you try to create 2 separate charts, they both seem to error out.

    Again, thanks for doing such a great job with this so far!

    Comment by Mark — January 26, 2010 @ 11:46 am

33. 

    Thanks Mark. I always like getting more requirements, so no worries

    1) Toggling the fields is in the next version for AD.

    2) Yeah, it restricts to groups already though. What other restrictions would you find useful?

    3) 100% honest I haven’t tried running the WebPart with multiple instances going. What error is thrown if I may ask?

    Comment by adam — January 26, 2010 @ 11:49 am

34. 

    Hello, great web part but as per usual my HR department want it with bells on!.

    we have a scenario where there are gaps in the hierarchy i.e. where we have an administrator and manager but no supervisor on one side of the org chart and have managers and supervisors on the other side, this however means that the admin position is at the same level as the supervisors on the org chart (If that makes sense). can you extend the connecting lines so the admin positions is below the level of the supervisors position but still connect to the manager?

    Comment by Lee — February 2, 2010 @ 8:52 am

35. 

    Yeesh. I’ll try to include it in the next version

    Comment by adam — February 2, 2010 @ 10:45 am

36. 

    Hi
    great web part, but i can’t make it work !
    i test AD, i have only the domain name on the screen.
    I have a sharepoint list with all employee of my company, but the webpart say “add items to the org data base”.
    I create a database based on the example and i have the same message.
    What make i false ?
    thanks

    Comment by Yannick — February 4, 2010 @ 12:53 am

37. 

    I am having the same problem as many are facing “Please Add Items To The Org Chart list”. I am using the list that I downloaded from the site with no changes and still getting the error. How should the list name and column name be entered in the column configuration section?

    Comment by Ron G — February 5, 2010 @ 10:05 am

38. 

    okay i found, in france we use the symbol ‘ in some case. And org char don’t like this !
    i delete all ‘ in my database and it’s ok but some word don”t tell anything without this character.
    Thank you for your good application.

    Comment by Yannick — February 8, 2010 @ 5:28 am

39. 

    You are awesome!! This webpart is the one which we were looking for.
    I was thinking if there is way to add a Image thumb nail for every employee in this web part

    Comment by Sharad Choudhary — March 1, 2010 @ 10:43 am

40. 

    For people having trouble with the “Please Add Items To The Org Chart list” error message, try the following: Name your list “Org Chart Data Source”; in the field for the source in the web part panel, enter Org Chart Data Source–not the path.

    Comment by Masterminx — March 11, 2010 @ 1:38 pm

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