Change data type for a list item in SharePoint 2010

Question

Hi,

This might be a very simple question but I m surprised that I didn't find a way to do it. Ok, I created a custom list using point-click interface in SharePoint 2010. One of my fields says NTID and I have a single line of text as its data type. I allowed people to add items in that list. Test user entered his employee number instead of his NTID in that single line of text. I thought, why not use people picker data type for that field & also make it reqd field so that he inputs his NTID correctly. Now I want to make change to the data type for my field with data type single line of text. On edit list, here's what I see

Where do I need to change this data type? Please kindly help. TIA.

Answer 1

You cannot change the data type now since it has been already added to the list. Thats why you need to be clear what columns to build before you open up the list to users to input the data.

Now what you can do is that save this list as a template without content and open up a new list using the same structure . in the new list delete the NTID column and create it as a people picker column. Now open up the datasheet view for the new list and the old list and copy paste the data from old list to new list.

Note:- People picker wont allow people who have left the organization and do not exist in active Directory .

Answer 2

Hi,

You can not change it. I would suggest you to delete this column and create a new one.

I hope this will help you out.

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Thanks, Rahul Rashu