How to modify a custom web part property using JavaScript?

Other Questions JavaScript
1

Hey everyone,

I’m working on a SharePoint project and I’ve got a bit of a challenge. I’ve created a web part with a custom property that users can personalize. Now I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way to change this property’s value using JavaScript.

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

// This is just a placeholder, not actual code
function updateWebPartProperty() {
  const webPart = document.querySelector('#myWebPart');
  webPart.customProperty = 'newValue';
  // But this doesn't work!
}

Has anyone dealt with this before? Is it even possible to update a personalized web part property with JavaScript, or am I barking up the wrong tree? Any tips or code snippets would be super helpful.

Thanks in advance for your help!

2

I’ve encountered this challenge before, and it can be tricky. While JSOM is one approach, I found success using the Page Component API in modern SharePoint. Here’s a rough outline:

  1. Get the page context
  2. Retrieve the web part manager
  3. Find your specific web part
  4. Update the property

It’s not straightforward, but it’s doable. The key is to ensure you’re working within the correct context and that you have the necessary permissions.

One caveat: be cautious about modifying web part properties client-side, as it can lead to inconsistencies if not handled properly. Consider server-side alternatives if possible.

If you’re still stuck, I’d recommend diving into the SharePoint Framework documentation. They have some solid examples that might help you out.

3

I’ve tackled this issue before using the PnP JavaScript library. It provides a more straightforward approach to interacting with SharePoint, including web part properties. Here’s a general outline:

  1. First, ensure you’ve included the PnP JS library in your project.
  2. Use the library to get the current page context.
  3. Fetch the web part instance.
  4. Update the property using the setProperties method.

The exact implementation will depend on your specific setup, but this method has proven reliable in my experience. It’s worth noting that you’ll need to have the appropriate permissions set up for this to work correctly.

Remember to test thoroughly in a non-production environment before implementing any changes. SharePoint can be finicky with client-side modifications.

4

hey tom, i’ve used jsom for this. u gotta grab the web part manager, find your web part and update its props. its a bit hairy, but works if done right. ping me if u need more info.