Try ShortPoint nowDid you know that you can save your most-used REST API and RSS connections for easy access from the Page Builder Connection interface? Here's how it will look like:
In our example, we will be able to create a connection to NASA's Picture of the Day feed and reuse it on different pages in just a few clicks. Here's the Image List element connected to the feed:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prerequisites
- You have the latest ShortPoint SPFx version installed on your SharePoint site.
- You must be a ShortPoint Designer with either a Pro or Enterprise License. For more details, check out Licensing Options.
Creating Reusable RSS Feeds and REST API Integrations
Follow the step-by-step guide below to create RSS feeds and REST API integrations that you can reuse in multiple pages across your SharePoint tenancy:
Step 1. Go to the Connections tool in the Dashboard
Go to Site Contents > ShortPoint Dashboard > Connections:
Step 2. Select a connection type
Select between the REST API and RSS connection types. For the purpose of this tutorial, we will select RSS:
Step 3. Create a title and put it in the URL
You can name your connection any way you want. This is the name that will be displayed in the Page Builder Connections page. In the URL field, add the RSS feed URL. We used this one from NASA:
https://www.nasa.gov/feeds/iotd-feed/
You can practice with this one, too, or use the one you want to connect to.
Step 4. Save
Click Save Changes when you're done:
Your connection will display as a new item on top. At any time you are able to edit, disable, or delete it.
Step 5. Use the connection in Page Builder
Open the Page Builder, go to the settings of any element, and select the Connect tab. Click Configure, and you will see the newly created connection appearing as one of the connection type options:
Click Connect at the bottom:
Step 6. Map the items and Update
Using the chain icons on the right, select which field will be displaying RSS-retrieved properties. This is an example connection mapping we used.
Note that not all RSS feeds and REST API connections have images enabled, like this one. Typically, they are just text. In this case, you will just omit the "Picture" field (leave it empty). Also, other elements, like Simple List or Date List, might be more suitable to use in case your connection doesn't retrieve images.
Use the Preview button to check how the element looks like before saving.
When ready, click Update and apply your changes.
And, there you have it, you have created your RSS feed -connected element using a pre-created, reusable Connection in the dashboard!
You can create a whole catalogue of those just as described in this video and use them all from your Page Builder.
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