Filtering SharePoint Document Libraries by Filename with PnPjs: Common Errors and Solutions
Filtering a SharePoint document library by filename is a common task, especially when you need to retrieve specific files. While PnPjs offers a convenient way to interact with SharePoint, you might encounter errors when attempting to filter by filename. This article explores common errors encountered while using PnPjs for filename-based filtering, analyzes their causes, and provides solutions to get your code working smoothly.
Scenario:
Imagine you're developing a custom application to manage SharePoint documents. You need to retrieve all files with a specific filename pattern, such as "report_*.xlsx". You're using PnPjs to interact with SharePoint and might write code similar to this:
const pnp = require("@pnp/sp");
const { Web } = require("@pnp/sp");
async function getFilesByName(siteUrl, listTitle, filenamePattern) {
try {
pnp.setup({
baseUrl: siteUrl
});
const web = new Web(siteUrl);
const items = await web.lists.getByTitle(listTitle).items.select("FileRef").filter(`FileRef eq '${filenamePattern}'`);
console.log(items);
} catch (error) {
console.error("Error fetching files:", error);
}
}
getFilesByName("https://yoursite.sharepoint.com", "Documents", "report_*.xlsx");
Common Errors:
-
"Invalid CAML query" Error: This error often occurs when the
filtermethod receives a malformed CAML query. While PnPjs provides a convenient way to build queries, it doesn't directly translate strings into valid CAML. -
"FileRef does not exist" Error: The
FileReffield is a system field that represents the full path of a file within the document library. However, it's not meant for direct comparison with filename patterns.
Understanding the Root Cause:
The core issue is that PnPjs's filter method uses CAML (Collaborative Application Markup Language) to structure queries against SharePoint lists. While you can use the filter method with basic comparisons, it doesn't directly support wildcards for filename patterns.
Solution:
To filter by filename using PnPjs, you need to utilize the filter method with appropriate CAML syntax. Here's an improved version of the code:
async function getFilesByName(siteUrl, listTitle, filenamePattern) {
try {
pnp.setup({
baseUrl: siteUrl
});
const web = new Web(siteUrl);
const items = await web.lists.getByTitle(listTitle).items
.select("FileRef")
.filter(`substringof('${filenamePattern}', FileRef) eq true`);
console.log(items);
} catch (error) {
console.error("Error fetching files:", error);
}
}
getFilesByName("https://yoursite.sharepoint.com", "Documents", "report_*.xlsx");
Explanation:
substringoffunction: This CAML function checks if a string contains another substring. It's ideal for searching for specific patterns within filenames.- FileRef: The
FileReffield is used to access the entire path of the file. eq true: This ensures that thesubstringofcomparison returns only those files where the filename pattern is found.
Additional Tips:
- Escape special characters: If your filename pattern contains special characters (e.g., underscores, asterisks), make sure to escape them properly in your CAML query.
- Alternative methods: If you need more complex filename filtering, consider exploring alternatives like the REST API or the Microsoft Graph API, which offer greater flexibility in querying SharePoint data.
Conclusion:
By understanding the limitations of PnPjs's filter method and using the appropriate CAML syntax, you can successfully filter SharePoint document libraries by filename. Implementing the provided solution ensures accurate retrieval of desired files while avoiding common errors. For more intricate filename filtering requirements, explore the flexibility of other SharePoint APIs.
