How to Create a List using a list template in a site definition

Question

I have created a custom list definition which simplies creates a new list using "Document Library" list.

I created another Custom Document Library and was wondering if there is any way I can create a Custom Document Library in ONET.XML (site definition) and then use the same list for creating the site.

Currently, I am using following code,

<List FeatureId="GUID ID" Type="91001" Title="DocumentLibrary" Url="DocumentLibrary" />

Now it does work for Document Library because its already created and available in the list, however If i put my list name which is "Custom Document Library"

I get this error,

Cannot complete this action.

Please try again. at Microsoft.SharePoint.Library.SPRequestInternalClass.ApplyWebTemplate(String bstrUrl, String& bstrWebTemplate, Int32& plWebTemplateId) at Microsoft.SharePoint.Library.SPRequest.ApplyWebTemplate(String bstrUrl, String& bstrWebTemplate, Int32& plWebTemplateId)

which defiantly because list hasn't been created yet, however I have a list feature activated and I can create a new list using the list template.

Answer 1

Not actually answering your question, but here is a suggestion. Always develop your list templates and list instances in features.

Then bind your onet.xml to your features. If you want to allow you list templates to be created only in your custom site, simple "hide" the feature.

The advantage of this technique is that it's easier to "debug", because you can concentrate on a single feature using Visual Studio. When it's ready, simply push the feature id in onet.xml.

The other advantage of this technique is that you can later create a second site template and reuse your list template.

If I'm right, you can take a look at some Out of box templates build on this model (Enterprise Wiki and Publishing site are creating some common lists, which cannot be created from the new list wizard).