Create New Word Document Without Opening it

Question

I have a scenario where a user creates a new Word document (attached to a content type), but doesn't need to open it. The document will be populated by other users later.

Is there a way to avoid the default behavior where a new document is automatically opened in Word? I know I could build a workflow for that, but it seems like an overkill for such a simple task.

Answer 1

You could use a Document Set with a single document template but it introduces additional functionality (possibly complexity) that you probably don't require.

Answer 2

Why not to add a button to the document library ribbon, and name it smth like "Create document by template"?

And on click, you can pop out SharePoint ModalDialog with your layouts page for asking some additional info (file name), or simply call your js function and create a document by template (most simple way is probably to use SPFile.CopyTo method to copy template from another document library, which you can hide if you wish).

You can either use standard SharePoint XML for adding ribbon button, or use Fluent Ribbon API (codeplex project, which simplifies ribbon creation).

You will need to add following code into your feature receiver:

    var button = new ButtonDefinition()
    {
        Name = "CreateByTemplate",
        Title = "Create by template",
        Image = ImageLibrary.GetStandardImage(12, 9),
        CommandJavaScript = " .. your js here ..",
        TemplateAlias = "o1"
    }

    var ribbonCustomAction = new RibbonCustomAction();

    ribbonCustomAction.AddControl(button1, "Ribbon.Documents.New", 1);

    ribbonCustomAction.Provision(ReceiverGuid, web, ListTypes.GenericLibrary);

For details, please visit Fluent Ribbon project documentation site, you will need section "Project features => RibbonCustomAction".

Answer 3

One option is to use a content type and set the document template to a LAYOUTS page. Some of the default content types point to Upload.ASPX and you could do the same to point to your own ASPX that creates the document and does not open it.