Calendar Plus Web Part has long been an indispensable tool (and a bestseller), with which you can display events and tasks on a calendar from various data sources, such as SharePoint lists, List Rollup, SQL databases, and BDC/BCS. Our latest release, Calendar Plus Web Part 4.5, includes a host of new features and capabilities to help you take calendaring on SharePoint to new heights.

To help introduce you to Calendar Plus Web Part 4.5, we have put together a new User’s Guide series that will highlight the product’s newest and most popular features. Here in Part Six, we will show you how to use the Runtime Filter View for multiple lists.

With Calendar Plus 4.5, users have access to a number of new filter options when it comes to filtering multiple lists. This includes the option of selecting the Runtime Filter View for multiple lists.  Whereas in previous versions you could only run this feature with a single list, you are now able to dynamically filter multiple lists simultaneously.

Section 1: Adding a new list/library with Runtime Filter View

To begin, create a SharePoint list that contains different types of columns and add the list to your Web Part.  This can be done under Data Source Settings in SharePoint List and Library Settings.

After you click Add List or Library, a new window will appear that provides the steps you need to follow in order to include and configure your new SharePoint List or Library. You will need to complete steps 1-4 in order to prepare your list/library for the filtering steps detailed below. Help to complete steps 1-4 can be found in the following blog post: Calendar Plus Web Part 4.5 User’s Guide, Part 2: How to Add and Display a List or Library.

Under Step 5, you will configure the filtering settings for your calendar. Your options include the ability to Show all items, Specify Filter Conditions, or Use Existing List View for your list or library.

By default, the Show all items radio will be selected. You will need to change this selection and instead select the radio button next to Use Existing List View. Select one of the available views. In this example, we have selected the Current Events view.

Make sure the box next to Runtime Filter View is checked.

Section 2: Changing filter views in the Web Part

When you go to Calendar Plus Web Part, you will notice that the default Select View is None and that all of your data is displayed.

To see all of the different views that are available for your list, click on the Select View drop-down menu.

To change the view for your calendar, click on the Select View drop-down menu and select your desired view. In this example, we are viewing All Tasks.

To return to the default view, click the Clear button. You will notice that the Select View has been returned to None and that all of your data is once again being displayed.

Section 3: Adding additional lists to the Web Part with “Show Filter List” unchecked

Before you begin, make sure that you have two or more lists and/or libraries added to Calendar Plus Web Part. See the instructions above for adding additional lists and/or libraries.  In this example, we have added two different lists: Calendar and Tasks.

Next, in the Calendar Plus Web Part Settings menu, click on General Settings under the heading Preferences.

Under Show Selected List, uncheck the box next to Show Filter List.

Return to your calendar. When you click on the Select View drop-down, you will notice that all of your lists are displayed, as well as all of their available view options.

In addition, similar to above, the default Select View is None and all of your data will automatically be displayed in the Web Part.

In the event that you do NOT wish to see all of the data from all of your lists displayed, click on the Select View drop-down and select the view from your lists that you would like displayed. You have the option of displaying all of the data for a particular list (i.e., all data from Calendar or Tasks) as well as the ability to display a single view from a list. After you have made your selection, the Web Part will now only show the data from the list view that you selected.

In this example, we have selected to view ALL data for the list Calendar:

In this example, we have selected to view ONLY the Active Tasks for the list Calendar:

In the event that you wish to change your calendar view (i.e., Month view, year view, week view, etc.), the Web Part will remember which lists you have checked, so there is no need to reset the items checked under Selected View every time you switch views.

Section 4: Adding a list to the Web Part with “Show Filter List” checked

To begin, in the Calendar Plus Web Part Settings, under Data Source Settings, click on SharePoint List and Library Settings. Select the list that you will be filtering in the Web Part.  In this example, we will be adding the list named Tasks.

Before you begin filtering your list, you will first need to modify some of its settings.

Under Step 5, you will configure the filtering settings for your calendar. Your options include the ability to Show all items, Specify Filter Conditions, or Use Existing List View for your list or library.

By default, the Show All items radio will be selected. You will need to change this selection and instead select the radio button next to Use Existing List View. Select one of the available views.  In this example, we have selected the Current Events view.

Make sure the box next to Runtime Filter View is checked.

Next, In the Calendar Plus Web Part Settings menu, click on General Settings under the heading Preferences.

Under Show Selected List, check the box next to Show Filter List.

Under Select View, you will notice that the default view is None and that all of your data is automatically displayed in the Web Parts.

When you click on the Select View drop-down menu, you will notice that only views for the list you added above, Tasks, are displayed.

Section 5: Adding additional lists to the Web Part with “Show Filter List” checked

To begin, go to the Calendar Name drop-down menu in Calendar Plus Web Part and check the lists that you would like displayed on your calendar. In this example, we have chosen to have All items checked. This means that by default, all the lists we have added to Calendar Plus (i.e., Calendar and Tasks) will be displayed in the Web Part.

Next, go to the Select View drop-down menu in Calendar Plus Web Part and check the views that you would like displayed on your calendar. In this example, we have selected None. This means that by default, all the views that are available for the calendars (i.e., All events, Active Tasks, My Tasks, etc.) will be displayed in the Web Part.

If you do not wish to display all of the available views, from the Select View drop-down menu, select the view that you would like displayed. In this example, we are going to display the Calendar view from the list Calendar.

If you do not wish to display all of the available lists, from the Calendar Name drop-down menu, check the box next to the list that you would like displayed. In this example, we are going to only display the list of Tasks.

Next, you will need to select a view for your displayed list. From the Select View drop-down menu, select the view that you would like displayed. In this example, we are going to select the view None.

In the event that you wish to change your calendar view (i.e., Month view, year view, week view, etc.), the Web Part will remember which lists you have checked, so there is no need to reset the items checked under Selected View every time you switch views.

Section 6: Automatically checking and unchecking “All”

In the event that you do not wish to display any data in the Web Part, make sure that none of the items listed under Calendar Name are checked. In addition, under Select View, select the view display labeled None. This will automatically uncheck all of the lists you have added to the Web Part.

In the event that you want to display ALL of the data in the Web Part, make sure that the option All items checked is selected under Calendar Name. In addition, under Select View, select the view display labeled None.

Want more Calendar Plus Web Part 4.5?  Download a free 30-day trial today, and check out the rest of our New Features Spotlight series:

• Calendar Plus 4.5 New Features Spotlight, Part 1: Gantt and Tasks Settings
• Calendar Plus 4.5 New Features Spotlight, Part 2: Display Legend and Icon Settings
• Calendar Plus 4.5 New Features Spotlight, Part 3: Filter Columns Using the List Filter Web Part
• Calendar Plus 4.5 New Features Spotlight, Part 4: Specify Different Filter Conditions for SharePoint Lists and Libraries
• Calendar Plus 4.5 New Features Spotlight, Part 5: Display Only Selected Lists on Your Calendar
• Calendar Plus 4.5 New Features Spotlight, Part 6: Use the Runtime Filter View for Multiple Lists
• Calendar Plus 4.5 New Features Spotlight, Part 7: Filter Columns Using a Web Part Connection