SPELL Nav, the successor of the Easy Tabs
The SPELL library is reaching version 0.8 this month. My main achievement in this release is the completion of the “Inline Navigation” module.
SPELL supports SharePoint 2007, 2010, 2013 and Office 365, and to demonstrate it I have updated all my sites:
- Tabs on my legacy SharePoint 2007 site
- Vertical buttons on the User Managed Solutions home page (SharePoint 2010)
- Tabs on my Office 365 Preview site (SharePoint 2013 platform)
All pages run the same version of SPELL, and the look of each menu is controlled via options. The idea is the same as with the original Easy Tabs – reuse the Web Part titles to automatically generate the navigation – but the code has been completely refactored. It is now more solid, for example when it comes to synchronization with the rest of the page, styling, print preview, and inclusion in wiki pages. It also offers more features:
- Option to have more than one Web Part per tab
- Compatible with display forms (this is especially useful if like me you are a fan of the “Related Items” feature)
- Direct link to activate a specific tab (for example access the SharePoint Hosting section on the UMS home page)
- Can be implemented in the middle of a zone, not necessarily at the top
- Can include hyperlinks to external page (see the demos)
- etc.
If you have subscribed to the SPELL interest list, you’ll receive a code sample by the end of this month.
As I have already mentioned, I consider that the Easy Tabs code is obsolete and I won’t update it. Also, it has become more and more time consuming to support such UI widgets because of the increasing number of SharePoint versions, browsers and supported devices (for example tablets and mobile), so I am more careful than before when it comes to releasing such tools.
That said, I understand that not everybody is willing to subscribe to the SPELL program. To allow end users to enjoy a smooth upgrade to SP 2013, in the next couple months I’ll publish in the SharePoint User Toolkit a lightweight version of the SPELL Nav that will cover most of the features offered by the current Easy Tabs.
Hi Christophe,
Sounds very interesting and I look forward to viewing the links in the blog tomorrow when on my ‘work machince’ – a bit late to load it up now. The abilitly to have more than one web part on a tab and navigation to specific tabs amongst the other features could be very useful.
Regards,
David
Where can I get in line for the code? EasyTabs was awesome!
Thanks David
. I added you to the interest list, expect the first sample next week! I can’t promise it’ll be awesome, but at least it should surprise you 
Thanks!
Oh boy, can you sign me up, Christophe? I loved Easy Tabs… excited to see it evolving!
Hi, I’ve used this utility and it has been very helpful… Thanks… Please sign me up for the examples and code… Thanks
Capa
Please sign me up. Your utilities have always been helpful.
I would love to be on your list. Please add me.
Please add me to the list as well.
Hi, Christophe.
Your Easy Tabs has been great. Please sign me up for the Spell – I’m curious. Also need to prepare as we’re up for a SP 2007 => 2013 upgrade soon.
Please add me to the interest list! I am looking forward to this
Hi Christophe,
Love your Easytabs and other solution – hope there is still room in the interest list for one more
You’re right on time John, I was blowing the whistle
Expect the mini-BI evaluation demo in your mailbox in the next hour.
Oh joy! Impeccable timing!
Hi Christophe
Please add me to the list. I’ve attended a few of your workshops with Mark Miller. I’m using Easytabs on most of our Intranet SharePoint sites.
I have easytabs on my sites too. So look forward to seeing the updated version. Carl
Me Too, Me Too!!!!
Easy Tabs saved my bacon a number of times, and now I could really use this type of solution in my new position. How do I get it? How do I use it? How do I buy you Lunch!!!!!
Thanks, Christophe
Thank you Christophe for the awsome solutions that you’re providing
I wish I can get the samples and the demo?
Thanks Christophe for this excellent solution.We used Easy-Tabs for MOSS 2007 portal. Everyone likes it. Now we are upgrading to 2013. Look forward to test the new version (Spell).