How to set up Sharepoint List External Data Column Type

Question

Hi all.

Context:

I am currently using a Microsoft Sharepoint List to store customer complaint cases.

Expected Behavior:

My goal is to restrict the customer and complaint submitter fields to our company's standard customer names and standard employee codes that are contained in an external data source (PostgreSQL warehouse) containing company data. In essence the field would behave similar a drop down, however unlike the normal drop down type, where options are typed manually, the external data source would be referenced.

Problem:

I discovered that the "External Data" column type could allow me to achieve this.

Upon initially attempting to create this type of column I got this error:

I subsequently found this microsoft article that gave me the instructions to configuring an external content type.

Create and update an external data column in a list or library - Microsoft Support

I configured a secure store services app, however when trying to configure an external content type, I was prompted to upload a BDC model file. After some investigation, I found that BDC models could be created and exported from Sharepoint Designer 2013, or from Visual Studio. Sharepoint Designer would not install correctly on my machine and I am completely stumped on how to use Visual Studio to create a BDC model.

Any help would be incredibly appreciated. Thanks so much guys!

Justin

Answer 1

Dear Justin,

Welcome to the forum here.

Please note that SPO only supports WCF and SQL Server Azure Connectors and you may use SharePoint Designer 2013 to create the BDC Model.

Introduction to external data - Microsoft Support

I'm afraid that there may be no easy way connecting PostgreSQL to SharePoint Online.

As what you are investigating is a SharePoint development question and we have a specific channel sharepoint-dev - Microsoft Q&A coping with SharePoint Development issues and questions, I kindly suggest you post a new thread to see if there is a way achieving your requirement.

Thanks for your understanding and have a nice day!

Sincerely,

Cliff | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

Thanks so much for the response!

Ah okay, I understand. I will ask my question on that forum and see what kind of responses I get.

I appreciate the help.

Justin