Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Archived)

how to convert text to lookup field

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Posted on by Tin

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Hello All,

I have a single line text box,now i want to replace it with lookup filed.

I don't want to loss all record value(text box value). please suggest it can be possible or not if yes

please suggest me the way.

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Community Member on at

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You cannot change the field type from text to Lookup. You have to create a new field for lookup. You can remove the text box field from the form and hide it from being searched. That way, you will still have the data available for you.

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Rajkumar Rajaraman on at

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No, you cannot change the field type from text to lookup

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shivaram 3,315 on at

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Unfortunately CRM does not allows you to change field type.

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ClixSol 1,505 on at

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You can not change field type.

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Mahendar Pal 45,095 on at

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No Direct way, but you can do it easily:

1. Create a new custom entity let's say entity A and setup relationship with your existing entity let's B, make sure to have relationship 1:N between A and B.

2. Place your entity A lookup in entity B form.

3. Export entity B data to excel with your old text field and with empty lookup field.

4. Export data import template (Settings->Data Management->import template) for your custom entity as well (entity A)

5. Copy your existing field data to your entity A template under name field (primary field)

6. Copy the same data in the lookup column in your excel file for entity B.

7. First import your entity A, and then your excel file for entity B ( you can also zip them and import in one go).

8. Delete your old text field.

Done !!

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Hemant Kumar Sahu 1,829 on at

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Hi Tin Lat,

That option is not available in CRM. We cant change the type of field.

You need to create new lookup field.

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Tin 1,562 on at

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Thanks Vikas,

Please elaborate the way how it can be possible ?

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Community Member on at

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Hi Tin,

You can create a new lookup field and keep the old field. You don't have to delete the old field you can just remove it from all forms and views and set it as non-searchable by going to the customization and selecting Searchable as No. If you want the lookup field to hold the value that was in text box, then you can create a custom workflow step and add it in an on-demand workflow. In that custom step you can search the lookup entity with the text given in the text box field. If result found then set the corresponding lookup value. Now you can search old records from advance find and run this on demand workflow to set the lookup value.

Hope this helps

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TheMarkChristie 10,328 Moderator on at

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Hi Tin

If you want to move this over you can do the following

1. Create the Lookup Field "As a new field"

2. Make sure that the Entity that you want to look up has a value for all of the Text entries (or have a map so you know what you want to map to)

3. Create a view that has both fields

4. Export your View results to excel

5. Copy the old text field to the new lookup field

6. Reimport and use "new_feild" and name for your criteria

7. Once you are happy you will need to update any views, reports or dashboard that reference the old field/

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Community Member on at

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Hi,

No you can not change field type, you will have to create a new lookup field.

Best Regards

Shah

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