How to: Magic with SharePoint 2003, uploading files using a Web service

Some time ago I blogged about my intentions of uploading files to a SharePoint Document Library site from a local folder using some kind of Web service. After doing some research and some tests, I found a very easy way to do that and now I want to share with you the approach I followed since you might find it useful as well.

Prerequisites

To build this solution, you need to install Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 and follow the next steps:

• Create a Document Library
• Grant access to the users that will upload files to the Document Library:

To install the Web service:

1. Download ODC_WritingCustomWebServicesSampleSPPT.EXE.
   • Note: It helps a lot to read the following article: Writing Custom Web Services for SharePoint Products and Technologies
2. Extract the download contents to your hard drive and Run build.bat.
   • Note: This will install the Web service on the _vti_bin virtual directory inside the Default Web Site.
3. Open the IIS Management Console (INETMGR) and navigate to the the _vti_bin virtual directory (inside the Default Web Site).
4. Find SPFiles.asmx, right click, and Browse.
5. Navigate to http://localhost/_vti_bin/SPFiles.asmx to validate if you have installed successfully the Web Service.

To consume the Web Service:

1. From your managed application, add a reference to the http://localhost/_vti_bin/SPFiles.asmx Web Service.
2. Call the Web service DocumentLoader. 
3. Create a helper class to upload files. You can use the helper class I created.
   using System;
   using System.Net;
   using System.IO;
   using System.Configuration;
   using System.Text;
   using System.Web;
   using System.Security;
   using System.Web.Security;
   using System.Web.UI;
   using System.Web.UI.WebControls;
   using System.Web.UI.WebControls.WebParts;
   using System.Web.UI.HtmlControls;
   using DocumentLoader;
   
   /// <summary>
   /// A sample SharePointHelper class to upload files
   /// </summary>
   public class SharePointUploadHelper {
      private string _sharepointDocumentLibrary;
   
      public SharePointUploadHelper() {
         _sharepointDocumentLibrary = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["SharePointDocLibrary"];
      }
   
      public string UploadDocumentsToSharePoint(string fileName) {
   
         DocumentLoader.SPFiles svcDocLoader = new DocumentLoader.SPFiles();
         svcDocLoader.PreAuthenticate = true;
         svcDocLoader.Credentials = CredentialCache.DefaultCredentials;
   
         string strPath = fileName;
         string strFile = strPath.Substring(strPath.LastIndexOf("\\") + 1);
         string strDestination = _sharepointDocumentLibrary;
   
         FileStream fStream = new FileStream(strPath, System.IO.FileMode.Open);
         byte[] binFile = new byte[(int)fStream.Length];
         fStream.Read(binFile, 0, (int)fStream.Length);
         fStream.Close();
         string result = svcDocLoader.UploadDocument(strFile, binFile, strDestination);
   
         return (result);
      }
   }
4. Create a Web Form, Win Form, or console application that will require a user to upload files.
    
5. Call the UploadDocumentsToSharePoint method of the SharePointUploadHelper class, for example:
   protected void btnLoadFile_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
       {
           SharePointUploadHelper fh = new SharePointUploadHelper();
           string serverTempFilePath = Server.MapPath(@"/yourApplication");
           contentFileUpload.PostedFile.SaveAs(serverTempFilePath);
           lblUploadResults.Text = fh.UploadDocumentsToSharePoint(serverTempFilePath);
       }
6. Open the configuration file (i.e. Web.config) and turn on impersonation.
   <identity impersonate="true" />
7. Add a configuration key that points to the SharePoint Document Library where you will upload files.
   <add key="SharePointDocLibrary" value="http://myServerName/myDocumentLibrary"/>
8. Build your application
9. Run and test the application, and there, a great web service.

I can tell you it works, just keep in mind the download is a code sample.

Enjoy!

-Erika