Hi there, how can I edit a custom field in an entity, specifically the field specification once it’s been saved? Thank you
Hi Rebecca,
No, you cannot. Once you create a field you cannot change it’s type. You can change validation though. The type is too intrinsic to the field itself. The best route is to delete the field and then re-add with the right type if you’re only just getting started. If you have data in the fields already or you’re already using the field in things like Answers/Pages, we would recommend doing the following:
Let’s say the field you created is a single-option select field instead of a multi-option select field called “Features” and API name “c_features”.
- Create the new field with a temporary API name but the new field specification. In this case, you could name it “Features2” and API name “c_features2” and type multi-option select.
- Export the content from the “Features” field and re-upload into the “Features2” field so that the data is the same in both.
- Change the API name of “c_features” to “c_featuresOld” and update the API name of “c_features2” to “c_features”
- QA your experiences to make sure all are still working as expected
- Delete the “c_featuresOld” original field.
We are looking into ways to make this type of process easier for you while you develop but for now this is our best guidance.
Hope that helps!
Liz
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Hi Liz,
Thanks for the prompt response! I’m attempting to finish the Data Modeling in Yext module assessment, and I think I entered the wrong Field Specification when creating the Delivery Hours Custom Field. I’ve tried to trash the original, hit save, then get back on the Manage Entity Types page, but when I click into Edit Fields under Restaurant, Delivery Hours is still in there.
Thank you again,
Rebecca
