Getting to Grips with Sharepoint Foundation 2013 REST API

I'm finding myself constantly struggling against the OOB (Out Of Box) features of Sharepoint Foundation 2013 and often need to find ways to interact with Lists in ways that are just not available. Enter the REST API. If, like me, you need to get to grips with using the Sharepoint REST API then I recommend the article SharePoint: Adventures with the REST API Part 1 which is by far the best guide I have found on them t'interwebs.

Autocomplete Lookup Field in Sharepoint Foundation 2013

Recently I've been working on a project where there are several related Lists, in this particular instance a list of Appointments and Patients. So the Appointments List has a Lookup field Patient. By default this gives you a select or drop down list, not ideal if you end up with several items on the list.

I eventually stumbled across SharePoint 2013 Autocomplete Lookup Field. Pretty straightforward to install provided you have server access and works like a charm. Highly recommeded.

Adding a simple Chat Facility to a Sharepoint Foundation 2013 Site

I've recently been working on a Sharepoint Project where the client requires their receptionist to be able to send them messages without flooding their email. So they asked for some kind of chat or instant messaging facility. I stumbled across Simple Chat a basic, lightweight JQuery based script which does the job very well.

Implementing the script is really easy. Here's the short version:

• Create a Document Library to store your JavaScript files.
• Create a Custom List to display your messages
• Add a Script Editor Web Part to where you want to keep your Chat facility. Edit Snippet, add JQuery code etc.

Job done.

Restore Content Types in Sharepoint Foundation 2013

If you find yourself in the situation where you've messed up with the Content Types in a Sharepoint Site Collection then this will help restore everything back to the default settings:

Open - Start - All Programs - Microsoft Sharepoint Products - Sharepoint Management Shell and run this:

stsadm -o deactivatefeature -name Fields -url http://sitecoll -force
stsadm -o activatefeature -name Fields -url http://sitecoll -force

Source: http://sharepoint.stackexchange.com/questions/8517/site-content-types-screwed-up-how-to-restore-to-default/26225#26225?newreg=0c4f241b46ab466ea0d265069efdca5f