External content type

only Pro and Pro Exchange Edition, SharePoint 2013

Virto Calendar allows users to add an external content type as a data source. An external content type is a reusable collection of metadata that contains connectivity information, data definitions, and the behaviors you want to apply to a certain category of external data.

When an external content type is added to SharePoint Designer, it is required to define access rights for SharePoint users. If access rights are not defined, this type of data source will not work for the Virto Calendar.

Go to the Virto Calendar settings and click “Create New Source.” Enter a source name, choose “External Content Source Type,” then select the external content type (click “Select External Content Type”) and test connection.

Creating a new external content type data source and testing the connection

Next, select the primary key for the editing data source, define the displayed column, select date fields, and choose the item color. Click “Save” to save the settings.

Setting the primary key, display column, date fields, and item color

The external content type data source will appear in the list of data sources. Items from the external content type data source will be displayed in the Virto Calendar.

External content type listed among the Virto Calendar data sources

Virto Calendar can take items directly from an external content type (it is not required to add external lists in SharePoint).

Updated on June 17, 2026