Content Type in sharepoint

Content Type is basically about the metadata to define your Item. This is combination of columns. You can inherit content types. For example Document is a content type and you can create your custom content type inheriting from document and adding some extra fields.

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Content type is nothing but metadata. It adds additional information on the documents in libraries / SharePoint lists and this is called data about data. We can use the same kind of content on the following pages document libraries or lists when it is created once. One of the most powerful features of SharePoint version 3 is the introduction of content types. Not only the content types are incredibly flexible, but also allow a degree of control that far exceeds any other mechanism in SharePoint.

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1. SharePoint content types is a term used for describing a collection of metadata

For example, an invoice content type may contain a set of metadata such as buyer, date of sale, terms of delivery, order total, shipping cost, etc.

2. Content types support user interface customization

You can define the appearance of a content type, both while editing, creating, and displaying data based on the content type. For example, you may want to display or edit your invoices in a page resembling an actual invoice.

3. Content types support behavior through workflows and event receivers

Data derived from a content type can behave in a certain fashion or react to specific events. For example, an invoice may need approval from a manager, or you may want to prevent deletion of approved invoices altogether.

4. Content types can have specific user interface elements attached

Through the use of CustomAction elements, content types can have unique menu options attached to the user interface. For example, you may want to add a 'Pay now' menu option or button to an invoice, and only for an invoice.

5. SharePoint content types support inheritance of properties, appearance, and behavior

You can create content type hierarchies, for example by having a root accounting document content type that defines a set of metadata, user interface options, and behavioral settings, and have the invoice child content type inherit those settings and override or extend the definition to include the necessary modifications for an invoice.

enjoy,

Eshwar,

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Check the links below

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms472236.aspx

http://blog.furuknap.net/what-are-sharepoint-content-types

Thanks
Karthik
www.f5Debug.net

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