<\/a>Overview<\/h2>\nColumns help you create meaningful views of the items in a list or library. By using columns, you can sort, group, and filter items, and you can also calculate data about items automatically and display the results of those calculations. Columns also enable you to specify what information should be entered about an item when someone adds an item to a list or library. When an item is added, a form appears and provides fields and options for entering information. When you create a list or library, certain columns, such as Title<\/strong> and Modified By<\/strong>, are created automatically. You can create additional columns to suit your needs. The columns that you create determine which fields and options appear in that form, and the columns that can be added to views of the list or library.<\/p>\nYou specify the type of column that you want when you create a column. In some cases, you can also choose a different column type for an existing column, but this depends on what kind and how much data is currently stored in the column. Changing the column type of an existing column can corrupt the data already stored in the column. For these reasons, it’s important to decide what kind of data you want to store before you create a column. When deciding which column type you want, consider the following:<\/p>\n
\n- What kind of data do you want store? Letters only? Numbers only? Formatted text? For example, you can’t store letters in a Number<\/strong> column. Knowing what kind of data you want to store is the first step toward choosing the most appropriate column type.<\/li>\n
- Do you want to use the data in financial calculations? If so, the Currency<\/strong> column type is the best option.<\/li>\n
- Do you want to use the data in mathematical calculations? How precise must those calculations be? You can calculate data in Number<\/strong> or Currency<\/strong> columns, but not Text<\/strong> columns. In addition, calculations in a Currency<\/strong> column are most precise.<\/li>\n
- How do you want to sort data in the column? In a Text<\/strong> column, numbers are sorted as strings of characters (1, 10, 100, 2, 20, 200, and so on), not as numeric values. To sort numbers as numeric values, use a Number<\/strong> or Currency<\/strong> column. Also, many date formats do not sort correctly if they are stored in a Text<\/strong> column. To ensure proper sorting of dates, use a Date and Time<\/strong> column.<\/li>\n
- Do you want to ensure that people enter information in the column? If so, you can specify that the column is required and people cannot add an item without entering the information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
To create a column<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Got the list or library for which you want to create the column.<\/li>\n
- Click the Library<\/strong> tab on the ribbon, and then click Library Settings<\/strong> or List Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Under Columns<\/strong>, click Create Column<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
The following sections provide information about the default types of columns that you can create and when to use each type of column. Depending on your organization, additional types of column may be available.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Single line of text<\/h2>\nUse this column field type to collect and display small amounts of unformatted text in a single line, including:<\/p>\n
\n- Text only, such as first names, last names, or department names<\/li>\n
- Combinations of text and numbers, such as street addresses or account numbers<\/li>\n
- Numbers that are not used in calculations, such as employee ID numbers, phone numbers, postal codes, or part numbers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A single line of text column displays 255 characters in a single line. If you want the column to display formatted text or more than one line of text at a time, create a Multiple lines of text<\/strong> column. You can change an existing Single line of text<\/strong> column to a Multiple lines of text<\/strong> column without losing any data that is stored in the column already.<\/p>\nYou can customize a Single line of text<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n\n- Assign a character limit<\/strong> Limit the number of characters by specifying the maximum number of characters that you want. For example, if the column stores five-digit employee ID numbers, you can use this feature to help ensure that people enter only five characters.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically display specific text when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to enter different text if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores the name of a company assigned to a project and your organization works with a specific company for most projects, you can enter the name of that company as the default value. As a result, the company name appears automatically when a new project is added to the list, and team members do not have to enter the name.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A default value can be either text that you specify or the result of a calculation, which is called a calculated value. Calculated values are helpful when you want to display specific text automatically but the text might vary depending on who added the item, when the item was added, or other reasons. To use a calculated value, you enter a formula, instead of specific text, as the default value. The formula can calculate a value based on information in other columns or system functions such as [today], to indicate the current date, or [me], to display the name of the person who adds or changes the item<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Multiple lines of text<\/h2>\nUse this column field type to collect and display formatted text or lengthy text and numbers on more than one line, such as a description of or comments about an item. A Multiple lines of text<\/strong> column can store as many as 63,999 characters, and you can specify the number of lines of text that you want to display when people enter information about an item. This type of column displays all of the text when the column is viewed in a list or library.<\/p>\nYou can customize a Multiple lines of text<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n\n- Assign a display limit<\/strong> Limit the number of lines of that appear when people enter information about an item. For example, if the column stores lengthy notes about a calendar event, you might choose to display ten lines of text. This makes it easier for people to enter information because they can easily see all of the text that they have entered. Conversely, if the column stores only a sentence or two about an event, you might choose to display only two or three lines of text.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you assign a display limit, it does not limit the amount of text that appears when the column appears in a list or library. All of the text entered for an item appears in the column.<\/p>\n
\n- Enable or disable text formatting<\/strong> Specify whether people can apply formatting such as bold, italics, or colors to text. There are three options: plain text<\/strong>, which does not support any formatting options; rich text<\/strong>, which supports basic formatting such as bold, italics, bulleted or numbered lists, colored text, and background colors; or enhanced rich text<\/strong>, which supports the same formatting options as rich text<\/strong> and additional options for hyperlinks, pictures, and tables.<\/li>\n
- Append changes<\/strong> If versioning<\/a> has been enabled for the list or library, specify whether people can add new text about an item without replacing any existing text about that item. If you choose to not append changes, new text about an item replaces any existing text about that item in the column. If you choose to append changes, people can enter additional information about an item, while also viewing text that was previously entered and the date and time that the text was entered. When viewed in a list or library, not as a field in an item form, the column displays the hyperlink View Entries<\/strong>, instead of the text, and people can click the hyperlink to see all of the information stored in the column for that item.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Important <\/strong> If you turn off this option after you create the column, all information except the most recent entry is deleted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Choice<\/h2>\nUse this column field type to let people choose from a list of options that you provide. This column type is an ideal choice in cases where you want to ensure that all of the data in the column is consistent because you can limit the values that are stored in a column.<\/p>\n
Tip <\/strong> To limit the values in a column to only those values that are stored in the site, use a Lookup<\/strong> column instead of a Choice<\/strong> column. You can learn more about Lookup<\/strong> columns later in this article.<\/p>\nYou can customize a Choice<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n\n- Define the list of choices<\/strong> Provide an exact list of values that people can choose. To provide this list, replace the sample text in the Type each choice on a separate line<\/strong> box with the values that you want. Type each value on a separate line. To start a new line, press ENTER.<\/li>\n
- Choose a display format<\/strong> Specify whether to display the choices in an expanding box, called a drop-down menu, or as a set of option buttons, called radio buttons, or check boxes. If you display the choices in a drop-down menu or as radio buttons, people can choose only value from the list. If you display the choices as check boxes, people can choose more than one value.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tip <\/strong> If you want people to choose only one value and the list contains five or more choices, a drop-down menu is typically the best format.<\/p>\n\n- Enable additional custom choices<\/strong> To allow people to enter a value that is not included in the list of choices, turn on fill-in<\/strong> choices. Doing so is a good idea if you may not know all of the values that people need to enter about items. If you prefer that people use only the values that you specify, turn off fill-in<\/strong> choices.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically select a specific value when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to choose a different value if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores the names of companies assigned to a project and your organization works with a specific company for most projects, you can enter the name of that company as the default value. As a result, the company name appears automatically when a new project is added to the list, and team members do not have to choose the name.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A default value can be either a value that you specify or the result of a calculation, which is called a calculated value. Calculated values are helpful when you want to display specific text in the column automatically but the text might vary depending on who added the item, when the item was added, or other reasons. To use a calculated value, you enter a formula, instead of specific text, as the default value. The formula can calculate a value based on information in other columns or system functions such as [today], to indicate the current date, or [me], to display the name of the person who adds or changes the item.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Number<\/h2>\nUse this column field type to store numerical values that are not monetary values.<\/p>\n
![\"Show\"](\"http:\/\/officeimg.vo.msecnd.net\/en-us\/files\/785\/945\/ZA079005000.gif\" "\\"Show\\"")
Tips for choosing a Number<\/strong> or Currency<\/strong> column<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
You can customize a Number<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n\n- Specify minimum and maximum values<\/strong> Limit the range of numbers that people can enter. For example, if the column stores the amount of work that has been completed for a task as a percentage, you can specify zero as the minimum value and one hundred as the maximum value. Similarly, if the column stores the number of attendees for an event and you want to limit attendees to a specific number, you can enter the maximum number of attendees as the maximum value.<\/li>\n
- Include decimal places<\/strong> Specify whether the numbers contain decimal places and the number of decimal places to store. If the column may need to store numbers that have more than five decimal places, you can choose Automatic<\/strong> when selecting the number of decimal places to include. Automatic<\/strong> is also a good choice if the column stores the results of calculations and you want the result to be as precise as possible. However, if you want to ensure that all values in the column have the same number of decimal places, it’s a good idea to limit the number of decimal places to zero, for whole numbers only, or another number of decimal places through five.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically display a specific number when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to enter different numbers if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores the number of computers that each team member has and every team member has at least one computer, enter 1<\/strong> as the default value. As a result, 1<\/strong> appears automatically when a new item is added to the list, and team members do not have to enter the number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A default value can be either a number that you specify or the result of a calculation, which is called a calculated value. Calculated values are helpful when you want to display a specific number automatically but the number might vary depending on who added the item, when the item was added, or other reasons. To use a calculated value, you enter a formula, instead of a specific number, as the default value. The formula can calculate a number based on information in other columns or system functions.<\/p>\n
\n- Format the number as a percentage<\/strong> Indicate whether to display and store the number as a percentage, and to treat it as a percentage when it is used to calculate other values.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Currency<\/h2>\nUse this column field type to store monetary values.<\/p>\n
You can customize a Currency<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n\n- Specify minimum and maximum values<\/strong> Limit the range of currency values that people can enter. For example, if the column stores reported expenses for an event and your organization limits reporting to amounts within a specific range, you can specify those limits as the minimum and maximum values.<\/li>\n
- Include decimal places<\/strong> Specify whether values include decimal places and the number of decimal places to store. For currency values, you can choose two decimal places or, if you prefer to store only round values, you can choose zero. For non-monetary values used in calculations that require a high degree of accuracy, you can choose to limit the number of decimal places to zero through five or, for more precise values, choose Automatic<\/strong> to automatically use the appropriate number of decimal places for the result of the calculation.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically display a specific value when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to enter a different value if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores expenses incurred for setting up new accounts and that expense is typically the same for all new accounts, you can specify that amount as the default value. As a result, that value appears automatically when a new item is added to the list, and team members do not have to enter the number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A default value can be either a value that you specify or the result of a calculation, which is called a calculated value. Calculated values are helpful when you want to display a specific value automatically but the value might vary depending on the item, who added the item, when the item was added, or other reasons. To use a calculated value, you enter a formula, instead of specific text, as the default value. The formula can calculate a value based on information in other columns or system functions.<\/p>\n
\n- Choose a currency format<\/strong> Ensure that all of the values in the column are based on the same currency by selecting a specific currency format for the column.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Date and Time<\/h2>\nUse this column field type to store calendar dates, or both dates and times. The date format varies based on the regional settings for the site. If the format that you want is not available, ask your administrator to add support for the appropriate region to the site.<\/p>\n
You can customize a Date and Time<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n\n- Include only the date or both the date and time<\/strong> Specify whether you want to include only the calendar date or both the calendar date and time of day.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically display a specific date or date and time when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to enter a different value if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores the date when an expense is incurred and most expenses are incurred on the first day of the fiscal year, you can specify the first day of the fiscal year as the default value. As a result, that date appears automatically when a new item is added to the list, and team members do not have to enter the date.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A default value can be a value that you specify, the date an item is added to a list or library, or the result of a calculation, which is called a calculated value. Calculated values are helpful when you want to display a specific date or time automatically but the date or time might vary depending on the item. To use a calculated value, you enter a formula as the default value. The formula can calculate a value based on information in other columns or system functions such as [today], to indicate the current date. For example, if you want the column to display a date that is 30 days after the current date, type the equation =[TODAY]+30<\/strong> in the Calculated Value<\/strong> box.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Lookup<\/h2>\nUse this column field type to let people choose values based on information that is already stored in the site. For example, if you want a column to store the names of customer accounts to which employees are assigned and the list of accounts must be limited to a Customer Accounts list on the site, you can create a Lookup<\/strong> column that displays the names in the Customer Accounts list. The list of choices in a Lookup<\/strong> column appear in either an expanding box, called a drop-down menu, or a list box, depending on whether you allow people to select more than one value.<\/p>\nYou can customize a Lookup<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n\n- Choose the source of the lookup values<\/strong> Specify which list, library, or discussion board contains the values that you want to store in the column. The source cannot be a subsite<\/a>, workspace site<\/a>, wiki, or blog. After you specify the list, library, or discussion board that you want, you can specify which column in that list, library, or discussion board contains the values that you want people to choose from.<\/li>\n
- Allow multiple selections<\/strong> Allow people to choose as many values as they like or limit the number of values that they can choose to only one value. If people can choose multiple values, all of the values appear in the column, separated by a semi-colon (;).<\/li>\n
- Choose columns to display<\/strong> You can add one or more columns to show specific field values for this column type.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Yes\/No<\/h2>\nUse this column field type to store true\/false or yes\/no information, such as whether someone will attend an event. A Yes\/No<\/strong> column appears as a single check box when people enter information about an item. To indicate Yes<\/strong>, team members select the check box. To indicate No<\/strong>, team members clear the check box.<\/p>\nThe data in a Yes\/No<\/strong> column can be used in calculations for other columns. In these cases, Yes<\/strong> is converted to a numeric value of one (1) and No<\/strong> is converted to a numeric value of zero (0).<\/p>\nYou can customize a Yes\/No<\/strong> column by choosing a default value for it. A default value is the selection that appears automatically when someone adds a new item. People can select a different value if they need to do so. For a Yes\/No<\/strong> column you can specify whether the check box is selected automatically, indicating a Yes<\/strong> value, or not, indicating a No<\/strong> value.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Person or Group<\/h2>\nUse this column field type to provide a searchable list of people, e-mail distribution lists, and groups from which people can choose when they add or edit an item. For example, on a Tasks list, a Person or Group<\/strong> column named Assigned To<\/strong> can provide a list of people that a task can be assigned to. The contents of the list depends on how directory services and SharePoint groups have been configured for the site. To customize the contents of the list, you may need to contact your administrator.<\/p>\nYou can customize a Person or Group<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n\n- Allow multiple selections<\/strong> Allow people to select as many options as they like or limit the number of selections to only one option.<\/li>\n
- Include or exclude groups of people<\/strong> Specify whether the list includes only individual people, or additionally includes e-mail distribution lists and SharePoint groups. For example, on a Tasks list, you might want to include only individual people to ensure that a specific person is responsible for each task. On a Projects list, you might want to include e-mail distribution lists and SharePoint groups to ensure that a team is associated with each project.<\/li>\n
- Limit the list to site users only<\/strong> Specify whether the list includes all people and groups in the directory service or only those people and groups who have access to the site as members of a SharePoint group.<\/li>\n
- Specify which information to display<\/strong> Choose which information you want to display about people or groups. For example, on a Contacts list for a large organization, you might choose to display a person’s name, picture, and details such as skills and expertise. On a Contacts list for a small team, you might choose to display only a person’s name or e-mail address.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Hyperlink or Picture<\/h2>\nUse this column field type to store a hyperlink to a Web page or to display a graphic on the intranet or Internet.<\/p>\n
A Hyperlink or Picture<\/strong> column stores the Uniform Resource Locator (URL)<\/a> for a Web page, graphic, or other resource. Depending on the display format that you choose, it displays either a hyperlink that can be clicked to access the resource, or a graphic instead of the URL for the graphics file.<\/p>\nTo display the URL as a hyperlink, select the Hyperlink<\/strong> format. When people enter information about an item, they can enter the URL and descriptive text that appears in the column, instead of the URL. To display a graphic, instead of the URL for the graphics file, select the Picture<\/strong> format. When people enter information about an item they must enter the complete URL for the graphics file, such as http:\/\/www.example.com\/image.gif, and they can optionally enter descriptive, alternative text for the graphic, which appears for people who turn off graphics in their browsers or rely on screen-reading software to convert graphics on the screen to spoken words.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Calculated<\/h2>\nUse this column field type to display information that is based only on the results of a calculation.<\/p>\n
When you add a calculated column to a list or library, you create a formula that contains operators, such as subtraction (-) and addition (+), functions, specific values, and references to other columns. Formulas can calculate dates and times, perform mathematical equations, or manipulate text. For example, on a Tasks list, you can use this type of column to calculate the number of calendar days required to complete each task based on the Start Date and Date Completed columns (=[Date Completed]-[Start Date]<\/strong>). In a Contacts list, you can use a Calculated<\/strong> column to combine the first and last names of the contacts and separate them with a space, based on First Name and Last Name columns (=[First Name]&” “&[Last Name]<\/strong>). Note that the formula in a calculated column can only reference other columns in the same list or library.<\/p>\nIn addition to entering the formula for the calculation, you specify what type of data you want the calculation to return and how to store and display that data. To learn more about each data type, see the appropriate section of this article.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>Full HTML Content with Formatting and Constraints for Publishing<\/h2>\nThe Publishing Infrastructure feature must be enabled by a Site Collection administrator for this column type to appear. This column type provides a richer text editing experience by using the Rich Text Editor. You use this column type to enable users to apply styles, apply table formatting and work with reusable content. The column type stores HTML and the editor provides this authoring and styling capabilities. This column type also helps you control or limit the options users have when creating new content by placing content field controls within SharePoint page layouts. Content and formatting constraints can be applied to the column to ensure that new content appears according to pre-established styles and themes.<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>Image with formatting and constraints for publishing<\/h2>\nThe Publishing Infrastructure feature must be enabled by a Site Collection administrator for this column type to appear, this column type stores links to images defined in the item properties. Each column displays a thumbnail preview in list views, and optional formatting may be applied to it. Use this column type to provide users with an easier way to add images rather than having to manually input the URL of the image or web reference. Control over images can be set when placing content field controls within SharePoint page layouts.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>Hyperlink with formatting and constraints for publishing<\/h2>\nThe Publishing Infrastructure feature must be enabled by a Site Collection administrator for this column type to appear. This column type stores hyperlinks and displays the hyperlink names defined in the item properties. Use the column type to provide a browsing interface that allows users to browse to an object to link to instead of typing a URL. Link formatting and other options can be set when placing content field controls within SharePoint page layouts.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>Summary Links data<\/h2>\nThe Publishing Infrastructure feature must be enabled by a Site Collection administrator for this column type to appear. This column type enables users to create bulleted content without the need for a dedicated list to populate the data. Use this column type on publishing pages to present grouped links that use a set of shared styles. Summary Links include a title, description, image, and URL. Summary links control and behavior can be set when placing a Summary Links field in SharePoint page layouts.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>Rich media data for publishing<\/h2>\nThe Publishing Infrastructure feature must be enabled by a Site Collection administrator for this column type to appear. This column type enables users to add video to a publishing page. Using this column type, you link to a media file (audio or video) the same way you link to an image. You can insert this column type in a page layout to show the specified videos on pages using that layout.<\/p>\n
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You specify the type of column that you want when you create a column. In some cases, you can also choose a different column type for an existing column, but this depends on what kind and how much data is currently stored in the column. Changing the column type of an existing column can corrupt the data already stored in the column. For these reasons, it’s important to decide what kind of data you want to store before you create a column. When deciding which column type you want, consider the following:<\/p>\n
- \n
- What kind of data do you want store? Letters only? Numbers only? Formatted text? For example, you can’t store letters in a Number<\/strong> column. Knowing what kind of data you want to store is the first step toward choosing the most appropriate column type.<\/li>\n
- Do you want to use the data in financial calculations? If so, the Currency<\/strong> column type is the best option.<\/li>\n
- Do you want to use the data in mathematical calculations? How precise must those calculations be? You can calculate data in Number<\/strong> or Currency<\/strong> columns, but not Text<\/strong> columns. In addition, calculations in a Currency<\/strong> column are most precise.<\/li>\n
- How do you want to sort data in the column? In a Text<\/strong> column, numbers are sorted as strings of characters (1, 10, 100, 2, 20, 200, and so on), not as numeric values. To sort numbers as numeric values, use a Number<\/strong> or Currency<\/strong> column. Also, many date formats do not sort correctly if they are stored in a Text<\/strong> column. To ensure proper sorting of dates, use a Date and Time<\/strong> column.<\/li>\n
- Do you want to ensure that people enter information in the column? If so, you can specify that the column is required and people cannot add an item without entering the information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
To create a column<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Got the list or library for which you want to create the column.<\/li>\n
- Click the Library<\/strong> tab on the ribbon, and then click Library Settings<\/strong> or List Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Under Columns<\/strong>, click Create Column<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
The following sections provide information about the default types of columns that you can create and when to use each type of column. Depending on your organization, additional types of column may be available.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Single line of text<\/h2>\n
Use this column field type to collect and display small amounts of unformatted text in a single line, including:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Text only, such as first names, last names, or department names<\/li>\n
- Combinations of text and numbers, such as street addresses or account numbers<\/li>\n
- Numbers that are not used in calculations, such as employee ID numbers, phone numbers, postal codes, or part numbers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A single line of text column displays 255 characters in a single line. If you want the column to display formatted text or more than one line of text at a time, create a Multiple lines of text<\/strong> column. You can change an existing Single line of text<\/strong> column to a Multiple lines of text<\/strong> column without losing any data that is stored in the column already.<\/p>\n
You can customize a Single line of text<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Assign a character limit<\/strong> Limit the number of characters by specifying the maximum number of characters that you want. For example, if the column stores five-digit employee ID numbers, you can use this feature to help ensure that people enter only five characters.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically display specific text when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to enter different text if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores the name of a company assigned to a project and your organization works with a specific company for most projects, you can enter the name of that company as the default value. As a result, the company name appears automatically when a new project is added to the list, and team members do not have to enter the name.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A default value can be either text that you specify or the result of a calculation, which is called a calculated value. Calculated values are helpful when you want to display specific text automatically but the text might vary depending on who added the item, when the item was added, or other reasons. To use a calculated value, you enter a formula, instead of specific text, as the default value. The formula can calculate a value based on information in other columns or system functions such as [today], to indicate the current date, or [me], to display the name of the person who adds or changes the item<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Multiple lines of text<\/h2>\n
Use this column field type to collect and display formatted text or lengthy text and numbers on more than one line, such as a description of or comments about an item. A Multiple lines of text<\/strong> column can store as many as 63,999 characters, and you can specify the number of lines of text that you want to display when people enter information about an item. This type of column displays all of the text when the column is viewed in a list or library.<\/p>\n
You can customize a Multiple lines of text<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Assign a display limit<\/strong> Limit the number of lines of that appear when people enter information about an item. For example, if the column stores lengthy notes about a calendar event, you might choose to display ten lines of text. This makes it easier for people to enter information because they can easily see all of the text that they have entered. Conversely, if the column stores only a sentence or two about an event, you might choose to display only two or three lines of text.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you assign a display limit, it does not limit the amount of text that appears when the column appears in a list or library. All of the text entered for an item appears in the column.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Enable or disable text formatting<\/strong> Specify whether people can apply formatting such as bold, italics, or colors to text. There are three options: plain text<\/strong>, which does not support any formatting options; rich text<\/strong>, which supports basic formatting such as bold, italics, bulleted or numbered lists, colored text, and background colors; or enhanced rich text<\/strong>, which supports the same formatting options as rich text<\/strong> and additional options for hyperlinks, pictures, and tables.<\/li>\n
- Append changes<\/strong> If versioning<\/a> has been enabled for the list or library, specify whether people can add new text about an item without replacing any existing text about that item. If you choose to not append changes, new text about an item replaces any existing text about that item in the column. If you choose to append changes, people can enter additional information about an item, while also viewing text that was previously entered and the date and time that the text was entered. When viewed in a list or library, not as a field in an item form, the column displays the hyperlink View Entries<\/strong>, instead of the text, and people can click the hyperlink to see all of the information stored in the column for that item.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Important <\/strong> If you turn off this option after you create the column, all information except the most recent entry is deleted.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Choice<\/h2>\n
Use this column field type to let people choose from a list of options that you provide. This column type is an ideal choice in cases where you want to ensure that all of the data in the column is consistent because you can limit the values that are stored in a column.<\/p>\n
Tip <\/strong> To limit the values in a column to only those values that are stored in the site, use a Lookup<\/strong> column instead of a Choice<\/strong> column. You can learn more about Lookup<\/strong> columns later in this article.<\/p>\n
You can customize a Choice<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Define the list of choices<\/strong> Provide an exact list of values that people can choose. To provide this list, replace the sample text in the Type each choice on a separate line<\/strong> box with the values that you want. Type each value on a separate line. To start a new line, press ENTER.<\/li>\n
- Choose a display format<\/strong> Specify whether to display the choices in an expanding box, called a drop-down menu, or as a set of option buttons, called radio buttons, or check boxes. If you display the choices in a drop-down menu or as radio buttons, people can choose only value from the list. If you display the choices as check boxes, people can choose more than one value.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tip <\/strong> If you want people to choose only one value and the list contains five or more choices, a drop-down menu is typically the best format.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Enable additional custom choices<\/strong> To allow people to enter a value that is not included in the list of choices, turn on fill-in<\/strong> choices. Doing so is a good idea if you may not know all of the values that people need to enter about items. If you prefer that people use only the values that you specify, turn off fill-in<\/strong> choices.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically select a specific value when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to choose a different value if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores the names of companies assigned to a project and your organization works with a specific company for most projects, you can enter the name of that company as the default value. As a result, the company name appears automatically when a new project is added to the list, and team members do not have to choose the name.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A default value can be either a value that you specify or the result of a calculation, which is called a calculated value. Calculated values are helpful when you want to display specific text in the column automatically but the text might vary depending on who added the item, when the item was added, or other reasons. To use a calculated value, you enter a formula, instead of specific text, as the default value. The formula can calculate a value based on information in other columns or system functions such as [today], to indicate the current date, or [me], to display the name of the person who adds or changes the item.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Number<\/h2>\n
Use this column field type to store numerical values that are not monetary values.<\/p>\n
Tips for choosing a Number<\/strong> or Currency<\/strong> column<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
You can customize a Number<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Specify minimum and maximum values<\/strong> Limit the range of numbers that people can enter. For example, if the column stores the amount of work that has been completed for a task as a percentage, you can specify zero as the minimum value and one hundred as the maximum value. Similarly, if the column stores the number of attendees for an event and you want to limit attendees to a specific number, you can enter the maximum number of attendees as the maximum value.<\/li>\n
- Include decimal places<\/strong> Specify whether the numbers contain decimal places and the number of decimal places to store. If the column may need to store numbers that have more than five decimal places, you can choose Automatic<\/strong> when selecting the number of decimal places to include. Automatic<\/strong> is also a good choice if the column stores the results of calculations and you want the result to be as precise as possible. However, if you want to ensure that all values in the column have the same number of decimal places, it’s a good idea to limit the number of decimal places to zero, for whole numbers only, or another number of decimal places through five.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically display a specific number when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to enter different numbers if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores the number of computers that each team member has and every team member has at least one computer, enter 1<\/strong> as the default value. As a result, 1<\/strong> appears automatically when a new item is added to the list, and team members do not have to enter the number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A default value can be either a number that you specify or the result of a calculation, which is called a calculated value. Calculated values are helpful when you want to display a specific number automatically but the number might vary depending on who added the item, when the item was added, or other reasons. To use a calculated value, you enter a formula, instead of a specific number, as the default value. The formula can calculate a number based on information in other columns or system functions.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Format the number as a percentage<\/strong> Indicate whether to display and store the number as a percentage, and to treat it as a percentage when it is used to calculate other values.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Currency<\/h2>\n
Use this column field type to store monetary values.<\/p>\n
You can customize a Currency<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Specify minimum and maximum values<\/strong> Limit the range of currency values that people can enter. For example, if the column stores reported expenses for an event and your organization limits reporting to amounts within a specific range, you can specify those limits as the minimum and maximum values.<\/li>\n
- Include decimal places<\/strong> Specify whether values include decimal places and the number of decimal places to store. For currency values, you can choose two decimal places or, if you prefer to store only round values, you can choose zero. For non-monetary values used in calculations that require a high degree of accuracy, you can choose to limit the number of decimal places to zero through five or, for more precise values, choose Automatic<\/strong> to automatically use the appropriate number of decimal places for the result of the calculation.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically display a specific value when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to enter a different value if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores expenses incurred for setting up new accounts and that expense is typically the same for all new accounts, you can specify that amount as the default value. As a result, that value appears automatically when a new item is added to the list, and team members do not have to enter the number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A default value can be either a value that you specify or the result of a calculation, which is called a calculated value. Calculated values are helpful when you want to display a specific value automatically but the value might vary depending on the item, who added the item, when the item was added, or other reasons. To use a calculated value, you enter a formula, instead of specific text, as the default value. The formula can calculate a value based on information in other columns or system functions.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Choose a currency format<\/strong> Ensure that all of the values in the column are based on the same currency by selecting a specific currency format for the column.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Date and Time<\/h2>\n
Use this column field type to store calendar dates, or both dates and times. The date format varies based on the regional settings for the site. If the format that you want is not available, ask your administrator to add support for the appropriate region to the site.<\/p>\n
You can customize a Date and Time<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Include only the date or both the date and time<\/strong> Specify whether you want to include only the calendar date or both the calendar date and time of day.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically display a specific date or date and time when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to enter a different value if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores the date when an expense is incurred and most expenses are incurred on the first day of the fiscal year, you can specify the first day of the fiscal year as the default value. As a result, that date appears automatically when a new item is added to the list, and team members do not have to enter the date.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
A default value can be a value that you specify, the date an item is added to a list or library, or the result of a calculation, which is called a calculated value. Calculated values are helpful when you want to display a specific date or time automatically but the date or time might vary depending on the item. To use a calculated value, you enter a formula as the default value. The formula can calculate a value based on information in other columns or system functions such as [today], to indicate the current date. For example, if you want the column to display a date that is 30 days after the current date, type the equation =[TODAY]+30<\/strong> in the Calculated Value<\/strong> box.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Lookup<\/h2>\n
Use this column field type to let people choose values based on information that is already stored in the site. For example, if you want a column to store the names of customer accounts to which employees are assigned and the list of accounts must be limited to a Customer Accounts list on the site, you can create a Lookup<\/strong> column that displays the names in the Customer Accounts list. The list of choices in a Lookup<\/strong> column appear in either an expanding box, called a drop-down menu, or a list box, depending on whether you allow people to select more than one value.<\/p>\n
You can customize a Lookup<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Choose the source of the lookup values<\/strong> Specify which list, library, or discussion board contains the values that you want to store in the column. The source cannot be a subsite<\/a>, workspace site<\/a>, wiki, or blog. After you specify the list, library, or discussion board that you want, you can specify which column in that list, library, or discussion board contains the values that you want people to choose from.<\/li>\n
- Allow multiple selections<\/strong> Allow people to choose as many values as they like or limit the number of values that they can choose to only one value. If people can choose multiple values, all of the values appear in the column, separated by a semi-colon (;).<\/li>\n
- Choose columns to display<\/strong> You can add one or more columns to show specific field values for this column type.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Yes\/No<\/h2>\n
Use this column field type to store true\/false or yes\/no information, such as whether someone will attend an event. A Yes\/No<\/strong> column appears as a single check box when people enter information about an item. To indicate Yes<\/strong>, team members select the check box. To indicate No<\/strong>, team members clear the check box.<\/p>\n
The data in a Yes\/No<\/strong> column can be used in calculations for other columns. In these cases, Yes<\/strong> is converted to a numeric value of one (1) and No<\/strong> is converted to a numeric value of zero (0).<\/p>\n
You can customize a Yes\/No<\/strong> column by choosing a default value for it. A default value is the selection that appears automatically when someone adds a new item. People can select a different value if they need to do so. For a Yes\/No<\/strong> column you can specify whether the check box is selected automatically, indicating a Yes<\/strong> value, or not, indicating a No<\/strong> value.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Person or Group<\/h2>\n
Use this column field type to provide a searchable list of people, e-mail distribution lists, and groups from which people can choose when they add or edit an item. For example, on a Tasks list, a Person or Group<\/strong> column named Assigned To<\/strong> can provide a list of people that a task can be assigned to. The contents of the list depends on how directory services and SharePoint groups have been configured for the site. To customize the contents of the list, you may need to contact your administrator.<\/p>\n
You can customize a Person or Group<\/strong> column in these ways:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Allow multiple selections<\/strong> Allow people to select as many options as they like or limit the number of selections to only one option.<\/li>\n
- Include or exclude groups of people<\/strong> Specify whether the list includes only individual people, or additionally includes e-mail distribution lists and SharePoint groups. For example, on a Tasks list, you might want to include only individual people to ensure that a specific person is responsible for each task. On a Projects list, you might want to include e-mail distribution lists and SharePoint groups to ensure that a team is associated with each project.<\/li>\n
- Limit the list to site users only<\/strong> Specify whether the list includes all people and groups in the directory service or only those people and groups who have access to the site as members of a SharePoint group.<\/li>\n
- Specify which information to display<\/strong> Choose which information you want to display about people or groups. For example, on a Contacts list for a large organization, you might choose to display a person’s name, picture, and details such as skills and expertise. On a Contacts list for a small team, you might choose to display only a person’s name or e-mail address.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Hyperlink or Picture<\/h2>\n
Use this column field type to store a hyperlink to a Web page or to display a graphic on the intranet or Internet.<\/p>\n
A Hyperlink or Picture<\/strong> column stores the Uniform Resource Locator (URL)<\/a> for a Web page, graphic, or other resource. Depending on the display format that you choose, it displays either a hyperlink that can be clicked to access the resource, or a graphic instead of the URL for the graphics file.<\/p>\n
To display the URL as a hyperlink, select the Hyperlink<\/strong> format. When people enter information about an item, they can enter the URL and descriptive text that appears in the column, instead of the URL. To display a graphic, instead of the URL for the graphics file, select the Picture<\/strong> format. When people enter information about an item they must enter the complete URL for the graphics file, such as http:\/\/www.example.com\/image.gif, and they can optionally enter descriptive, alternative text for the graphic, which appears for people who turn off graphics in their browsers or rely on screen-reading software to convert graphics on the screen to spoken words.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a>Calculated<\/h2>\n
Use this column field type to display information that is based only on the results of a calculation.<\/p>\n
When you add a calculated column to a list or library, you create a formula that contains operators, such as subtraction (-) and addition (+), functions, specific values, and references to other columns. Formulas can calculate dates and times, perform mathematical equations, or manipulate text. For example, on a Tasks list, you can use this type of column to calculate the number of calendar days required to complete each task based on the Start Date and Date Completed columns (=[Date Completed]-[Start Date]<\/strong>). In a Contacts list, you can use a Calculated<\/strong> column to combine the first and last names of the contacts and separate them with a space, based on First Name and Last Name columns (=[First Name]&” “&[Last Name]<\/strong>). Note that the formula in a calculated column can only reference other columns in the same list or library.<\/p>\n
In addition to entering the formula for the calculation, you specify what type of data you want the calculation to return and how to store and display that data. To learn more about each data type, see the appropriate section of this article.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/a>Full HTML Content with Formatting and Constraints for Publishing<\/h2>\n
The Publishing Infrastructure feature must be enabled by a Site Collection administrator for this column type to appear. This column type provides a richer text editing experience by using the Rich Text Editor. You use this column type to enable users to apply styles, apply table formatting and work with reusable content. The column type stores HTML and the editor provides this authoring and styling capabilities. This column type also helps you control or limit the options users have when creating new content by placing content field controls within SharePoint page layouts. Content and formatting constraints can be applied to the column to ensure that new content appears according to pre-established styles and themes.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/a>Image with formatting and constraints for publishing<\/h2>\n
The Publishing Infrastructure feature must be enabled by a Site Collection administrator for this column type to appear, this column type stores links to images defined in the item properties. Each column displays a thumbnail preview in list views, and optional formatting may be applied to it. Use this column type to provide users with an easier way to add images rather than having to manually input the URL of the image or web reference. Control over images can be set when placing content field controls within SharePoint page layouts.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/a>Hyperlink with formatting and constraints for publishing<\/h2>\n
The Publishing Infrastructure feature must be enabled by a Site Collection administrator for this column type to appear. This column type stores hyperlinks and displays the hyperlink names defined in the item properties. Use the column type to provide a browsing interface that allows users to browse to an object to link to instead of typing a URL. Link formatting and other options can be set when placing content field controls within SharePoint page layouts.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/a>Summary Links data<\/h2>\n
The Publishing Infrastructure feature must be enabled by a Site Collection administrator for this column type to appear. This column type enables users to create bulleted content without the need for a dedicated list to populate the data. Use this column type on publishing pages to present grouped links that use a set of shared styles. Summary Links include a title, description, image, and URL. Summary links control and behavior can be set when placing a Summary Links field in SharePoint page layouts.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/a>Rich media data for publishing<\/h2>\n
The Publishing Infrastructure feature must be enabled by a Site Collection administrator for this column type to appear. This column type enables users to add video to a publishing page. Using this column type, you link to a media file (audio or video) the same way you link to an image. You can insert this column type in a page layout to show the specified videos on pages using that layout.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- Include or exclude groups of people<\/strong> Specify whether the list includes only individual people, or additionally includes e-mail distribution lists and SharePoint groups. For example, on a Tasks list, you might want to include only individual people to ensure that a specific person is responsible for each task. On a Projects list, you might want to include e-mail distribution lists and SharePoint groups to ensure that a team is associated with each project.<\/li>\n
- Allow multiple selections<\/strong> Allow people to choose as many values as they like or limit the number of values that they can choose to only one value. If people can choose multiple values, all of the values appear in the column, separated by a semi-colon (;).<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically display a specific date or date and time when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to enter a different value if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores the date when an expense is incurred and most expenses are incurred on the first day of the fiscal year, you can specify the first day of the fiscal year as the default value. As a result, that date appears automatically when a new item is added to the list, and team members do not have to enter the date.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Include only the date or both the date and time<\/strong> Specify whether you want to include only the calendar date or both the calendar date and time of day.<\/li>\n
- Include decimal places<\/strong> Specify whether values include decimal places and the number of decimal places to store. For currency values, you can choose two decimal places or, if you prefer to store only round values, you can choose zero. For non-monetary values used in calculations that require a high degree of accuracy, you can choose to limit the number of decimal places to zero through five or, for more precise values, choose Automatic<\/strong> to automatically use the appropriate number of decimal places for the result of the calculation.<\/li>\n
- Specify minimum and maximum values<\/strong> Limit the range of currency values that people can enter. For example, if the column stores reported expenses for an event and your organization limits reporting to amounts within a specific range, you can specify those limits as the minimum and maximum values.<\/li>\n
- Include decimal places<\/strong> Specify whether the numbers contain decimal places and the number of decimal places to store. If the column may need to store numbers that have more than five decimal places, you can choose Automatic<\/strong> when selecting the number of decimal places to include. Automatic<\/strong> is also a good choice if the column stores the results of calculations and you want the result to be as precise as possible. However, if you want to ensure that all values in the column have the same number of decimal places, it’s a good idea to limit the number of decimal places to zero, for whole numbers only, or another number of decimal places through five.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically select a specific value when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to choose a different value if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores the names of companies assigned to a project and your organization works with a specific company for most projects, you can enter the name of that company as the default value. As a result, the company name appears automatically when a new project is added to the list, and team members do not have to choose the name.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Choose a display format<\/strong> Specify whether to display the choices in an expanding box, called a drop-down menu, or as a set of option buttons, called radio buttons, or check boxes. If you display the choices in a drop-down menu or as radio buttons, people can choose only value from the list. If you display the choices as check boxes, people can choose more than one value.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Append changes<\/strong> If versioning<\/a> has been enabled for the list or library, specify whether people can add new text about an item without replacing any existing text about that item. If you choose to not append changes, new text about an item replaces any existing text about that item in the column. If you choose to append changes, people can enter additional information about an item, while also viewing text that was previously entered and the date and time that the text was entered. When viewed in a list or library, not as a field in an item form, the column displays the hyperlink View Entries<\/strong>, instead of the text, and people can click the hyperlink to see all of the information stored in the column for that item.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Enable or disable text formatting<\/strong> Specify whether people can apply formatting such as bold, italics, or colors to text. There are three options: plain text<\/strong>, which does not support any formatting options; rich text<\/strong>, which supports basic formatting such as bold, italics, bulleted or numbered lists, colored text, and background colors; or enhanced rich text<\/strong>, which supports the same formatting options as rich text<\/strong> and additional options for hyperlinks, pictures, and tables.<\/li>\n
- Display a default value<\/strong> Automatically display specific text when someone adds a new item, while also allowing people to enter different text if they need to do so. A default value helps people enter information faster. For example, if the column stores the name of a company assigned to a project and your organization works with a specific company for most projects, you can enter the name of that company as the default value. As a result, the company name appears automatically when a new project is added to the list, and team members do not have to enter the name.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Assign a character limit<\/strong> Limit the number of characters by specifying the maximum number of characters that you want. For example, if the column stores five-digit employee ID numbers, you can use this feature to help ensure that people enter only five characters.<\/li>\n
- Under Columns<\/strong>, click Create Column<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Do you want to use the data in financial calculations? If so, the Currency<\/strong> column type is the best option.<\/li>\n