Create Custom Actions for SharePoint 2010 lists using SharePoint designer 2010

In SharePoint 2010, it is easier to add custom actions that are scoped to a specific list using SharePoint Designer 2010. To start with adding Custom Action to a list, you have to create your own custom list from Custom List Template.

Step 1: Create a custom list called Phone Book.
Step 2: Open the site in SharePoint Designer 2010 by clicking on Edit Site in SharePoint Designer action off of the Site Actions menu.



Step 3: Select Lists and Libraries under Site Objects section in left navigation menu.

                                                         

Step 4: Select Phone Book list.

Step 5: Now to add a custom action to a list item, we need to select List Settings, Custom Action.

Step 6: You may notice that there are more other different options available to create different types of Custom Actions for the list. For now we will select List Item Menu.

Step 7: When you select List Item Menu, a window pop up displays which asks you to enter name, description etc. In Name field, lets enter My Custom Action.

You can enter description if you want in Decription field. 

Step 8: Under "Select the type of Action" section, you have three choices given.
 a. Novigate to the form, which means to can display DisplayForm, New Form or EditForm of this list when user clicks on "My Custom Action".
b. A workflow can be initiated with our Custom Action.
c. Navigate to URL. Here you can enter a site or list URL and user will be redirected to that URL.
Here in this article I have selected "Navigate To URL" and gave google address.

Step 9: Click OK and go back to your SharePoint site in the browser. Select Phone Book List.

Step 10: Select any existing item in the list and check if you can see "My Custom Action" in the context menu.

Thats it. You are done. No coding required.