Hi, I have a requirement from my business that we need to be able to aggregate specific content types across a large number of sites.

The kicker is that we need to split the results for each content type into different categories based on metadata that is controlled at site level.

I have the search result set up pretty ok so far. Filtered and split according to the metadata values on the items. So my question mostly pertains to how to get metadata assigned at site level and then propagated down onto all items.

My initial thought was to use a combination of lookups and calculated columns, and then just have a singleton metadata list to store the values. But a couple of gotchas deflated that idea: 1: You cannot lookup from a choice field. And 2: You cannot reference another list in a calculated column.

Any advice for how to achieve what my business desires?

Thanks in advance!

/Mikkel

I think this may be something where the Content Enrichment service could help.  It involves a bit of code but you could have it return the exact values you want in custom managed properties.

Thanks Corey, I assume you are right. But this a few steps deeper into the pools of IT than I desire to venture :)

Also, I forgot to mention, we are running sharepoint online, so customizations at the suggested level are likely not possible.

After messing about on google for the better part of an afternoon I have assembled a part of a solution, it is not elegant, but it seems to work ok for selected content. Not all content, but the parts we choose in each site.

While I cannot lookup from a choice field, I can lookup from a calculated field. So if I create a calculated field in my metadata singleton list, that populates from the choice field. Then I can make a lookup from that one, and add to selected lists and libraries as needed.

Still: A way to add metadata to the entire site would be nice :/

/Mikkel