PnPJs .getAll() Function to get all list items Explained

The .getAll() function in PnPjs is used to retrieve all items from a SharePoint list or library in a paginated manner. SharePoint lists often have a threshold limit (commonly 5000 items) that restricts how many items can be retrieved in a single request. .getAll() overcomes this limitation by making multiple requests in the background and combining the results, so you can fetch large datasets seamlessly.

Key Features of `.getAll()`

Paginated Retrieval: Automatically handles pagination to retrieve all items in batches.
Customizable Batch Size: Allows you to specify the number of items per batch using the requestSize parameter.
Efficient Handling of Large Data: Designed for scenarios where you need to retrieve more than the SharePoint threshold.

Syntax

.getAll(requestSize?: number): Promise<T[]>

Parameters:

requestSize (optional):
- Specifies the number of items to fetch in each request.
- Default is 2000.
- Adjust this value based on your dataset size and server performance.

Returns:

A Promise that resolves to an array of items (T[]), where T is the type of the list items.

Example Usage

Basic Example:

Retrieve all items from a list with the default batch size (2000 items per request):

import { sp } from "@pnp/sp";

async function getAllItems() {
    try {
        const items = await sp.web.lists.getByTitle("MyList").items.getAll();
        console.log(items); // Logs all items in the list
    } catch (error) {
        console.error("Error fetching items:", error);
    }
}

Specify a Custom `requestSize`:

Retrieve all items with a batch size of 500 items per request:

import { sp } from "@pnp/sp";

async function getAllItemsWithCustomBatchSize() {
    try {
        const items = await sp.web.lists.getByTitle("MyList").items.getAll(500);
        console.log(items); // Logs all items in the list
    } catch (error) {
        console.error("Error fetching items:", error);
    }
}

When to Adjust `requestSize`?

Keep Default (2000):
- Best for most scenarios as it balances performance and network overhead.
  - Use this if you’re not experiencing timeout issues or performance problems.
Increase Request Size (>2000):
- Consider increasing the size if your list contains many items and the server/network can handle larger payloads efficiently.
- Example: Use 5000 if your server has good performance and can handle it.
Decrease Request Size (<2000):
- Use a smaller batch size for scenarios with limited server resources or if you’re running into timeout issues.
- Example: Use 500 if the list contains very large columns or attachments.

Practical Notes:

Threshold Handling: .getAll() handles the 5000-item threshold automatically by making multiple requests.
Performance Considerations:
- Larger requestSize reduces the number of requests but increases the size of each response, which might cause timeouts or delays.
- Smaller requestSize increases the number of requests but reduces the chance of timeouts.
Error Handling: Always wrap your .getAll() calls in a try-catch block to handle network or SharePoint API errors gracefully.
Filtering and Select: Use .select() and .filter() before .getAll() to reduce the payload size:

const items = await sp.web.lists.getByTitle("MyList").items
    .select("Title", "Id")
    .filter("Status eq 'Active'")
    .getAll(1000);

In summary

The .getAll() function in PnPjs is a robust solution for handling large datasets in SharePoint by automating pagination and bypassing threshold limits. With features like customizable requestSize, it offers flexibility to optimize performance for diverse scenarios. Whether you’re fetching a few thousand items or managing server-intensive tasks, this function simplifies the process while keeping your code clean and efficient.

Tips to Maximize Efficiency with `.getAll()`

Start Simple: Stick with the default requestSize of 2000 unless specific conditions warrant a change.
Optimize Queries: Use .select() and .filter() to limit the fields and data retrieved, reducing payload size and improving performance.
Plan for Errors: Wrap your .getAll() calls in a try-catch block to handle potential API or network issues gracefully.
Test for Balance: Experiment with different requestSize values to find the sweet spot for your server’s performance and dataset size.

By following these tips, you can confidently leverage .getAll() to enhance your SharePoint development projects. If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the perfect time to experiment and see how it fits into your workflows!

References:

PnPjs Documentation – Items.getAll
Learn more about the .getAll() function and its parameters.
Handling SharePoint List Thresholds
Best practices for working with large lists and libraries in SharePoint.
Optimizing PnPjs Queries
Advanced techniques for optimizing queries in PnPjs.

Key Features of .getAll()