Sitecore PowerShell scripts as a datasource

Powershell script can be used in a data source to solve complex problems in Sitecore.

·       For this you can create script which is used to provide a list of child items of a parent item within a data source. For example, the script returns all the child items of the event folder that were created from the event detail template.

·       The script tag and full path of the script must be specified in the data source.

·       The script can be used in a template data source, a data source location, or a rendering data source.

·       The script must return either one item or a list of items for Sitecore to display to the end user.

 

Here is my YouTube video for the same

 

Stay tuned for more such articles, tips and tricks.

Embed Sitecore 10.3 form to external website page

Today, we are going to discuss how to embed a Sitecore 10.3 form on an external website. Sitecore 10.3 is available in the market and offers many new features, including headless SXA and web hooks. The new Sitecore forms use an Embeddable Form Framework, which means that you can create the forms within Sitecore and use them on any type of website, regardless of the technology used.

The benefit of this is that you can collect data from non-Sitecore-based websites and import it into the Sitecore website. This feature is similar to the old FXM feature.

Here are the steps to implement it

·       Install Sitecore 10.3

·       Rebuild the master and web index

·       Install Sitecore Headless Service 21.0.0

·       Create and publish an API key

·       Create and publish a new form in Sitecore

·       Download the Sitecore Embeddable Forms

·       Copy the CSS folder and Javascript file to your website's root folder

·       Specify the form ID in your HTML or PHP website

·       Include the script in your HTML or PHP page

·       Pass the API key to the script

·       Specify any necessary CSS elements on your HTML or PHP page

Here is my Youtube video for the same

 

Stay tuned for more such articles, tips and tricks.

Sitecore Mindmap

Sitecore is a complex platform with many products, features and functionalities, and it can be challenging to keep track of all the details.

A mind map can serve as a single source for quick and easy access to information about a Sitecore products and its different features. It can also be used as a reference guide to quickly find specific information or to communicate the products to the clients, team members and stakeholders.

So I created Sitecore mindmap for reference

I am open to any suggestions or feedback on what else could be included in this mind map that may have been missed!!!!

Here is my YouTube video for the same

Stay tuned for more such articles, tips and tricks.

Webhooks in Sitecore 10.3

Today we are going to see new features of Sitecore called Web Hooks. Before understanding web hooks, let's try to understand the concept of hooks in general life. Just like we have hooks in our home to hang clothes or fishing hooks, these hooks can hold two different things and join them. Similarly, in programming, web hooks can allow interaction between different applications.

When two different web applications are present, they can be interacted through a callback function. One application can receive real-time notifications through an event. For instance, if something is happening in application one, it will trigger a notification for the other application, which will receive it in code terms. Web hooks can be used in two places: events and workflows. Whenever an item is created, deleted, copied, published or a workflow is submitted, these actions are considered events.

Web hooks can be used to track these events. Sitecore will send information about the event in terms of a JSON request payload to the other application. The Sitecore HTTP post request will be sent to the other application with the payload in JSON or XML format. The other application will receive the request and further process it. There are three types of web hooks that can be created: web hook event handler, workflow, and validation actions.

Here are the steps to implement

·       In Sitecore, web hooks can be created through the System section and Web Hooks option.

·       To create a web event handler, select a specific event (item added, copied, deleted, etc.).

·       Specify the URL for the other application and enable the event.

·       A demo was shown with a method created in the Target application to receive input from Sitecore and save it to a file.

·       When an item was added in Sitecore, the event was triggered and a file was created on the local machine with the input received from Sitecore.

Here is my YouTube video for the same

 

 

Stay tuned for more such articles, tips and tricks.

Simplest way to sort child items in Sitecore

Today, we're going to explore another hidden feature of the Sitecore.

By default, all items created within the Sitecore are sorted alphabetically. However, if the position of the items has been changed by the content author, the list may not be sorted. In this case, sorting the items manually by clicking on the "up" or "down" option for each item would take a lot of time, especially if there are hundreds of items under a single parent item.

To solve this problem, the easiest way is to select the folder and click on the " sorting" option. This will open a "sort order" window where you can sort the items by different options such as "created date" or "reverse". To reset the order, simply click on "reset", and the items will be sorted accordingly.

This feature is hidden and simple to use, so I hope you will take advantage of it in your project.

Here is my YouTube video for the same

Stay tuned for more such articles, tips and tricks.

ChatGPT with Sitecore

Today, we are going to take a look at something really cool - Chat GPT. In recent weeks, this technology has been a hot topic of discussion. Chat GPT is a dialog-based artificial intelligence chatbot that can answer your questions in a conversational manner. It's developed by OpenAI, a well-known research lab. The best thing about Chat GPT is that it is stateful, meaning it can remember previous questions and respond accordingly within the same context. You can find more information about Chat GPT on the OpenAI website.

As a developer, one use case for Chat GPT is to migrate CSV or Excel data to Sitecore. For example, if a client asks for assistance in migrating data, a developer can use Chat GPT to determine the best approach for accomplishing this task. The first step is to find out the different ways to migrate data and choose the best option. Once the data is migrated, the developer can assign icons, create packages in Sitecore, and publish the items.

The Chat GPT home page provides lots of information about the technology and can be used to help with a developer task such as migrating Excel file data to Sitecore. By asking Chat GPT for help, the chatbot can provide information on different methods, such as using a custom script or a C# code. Chat GPT can even provide the necessary code to complete the task, such as a C# script or a PowerShell script. The developer can then copy and paste the code into their application and test it.

Here is my YouTube video for the same

 

Stay tuned for more such articles, tips and tricks.

Insights from the "15 Ways of Content Migration to Sitecore" webinar

 Introduction:

On May 20, 2023, I presented webinar on "15 Ways of Content Migration to Sitecore", offering valuable insights and practical strategies for successfully transitioning content to the Sitecore platform.

Understanding the Complexity of Content Migration:

Content migration is a critical phase in any Sitecore implementation project, requiring meticulous planning, strategic decision-making, and a thorough understanding of both the source and target systems. The webinar emphasized the importance of recognizing the complexity involved in content migration and provided attendees with a different way to achieve it.

Exploring 15 Effective Content Migration Strategies:

The core focus of the webinar was to equip participants with a diverse set of strategies and techniques to tackle content migration effectively. I navigated through 15 different approaches, each tailored to address specific scenarios and requirements. From manual content transfer to automated migration tools, attendees gained insights into a wide range of methodologies to streamline the migration process.

Empowering Sitecore Professionals:

The "15 Ways of Content Migration to Sitecore" webinar left attendees feeling empowered and equipped with a wealth of knowledge to tackle content migration projects with confidence.

Here is the YouTube video for the same!!!