How to Delete a Column in SharePoint List/ Library? Efficiently

In managing SharePoint Online competently, document lists and libraries play a crucial role. One of the often tasks of SharePoint administrators is to redirect SharePoint site to new URL or delete the unnecessary columns. Whether you are just using SharePoint to manage a small team. Knowing how to delete a column in SharePoint list or document library requires organizing SharePoint site content potently.

In this article, we will guide you on how to delete outdated or unnecessary columns from the SharePoint document library or lists. Let’s dive into the process!

Why You Should Delete Unnecessary Columns from SharePoint List or Library?

Deleting the outdated or no longer required columns is essential to manage the document library efficiently. Below are some key reasons to remove the SharePoint sites column permanently.

• Embellish User Experience – A document library with multiple columns can overburden users to keep the document library organized. On the other hand, removing irrelevant columns can enhance user experience.
• Improve SharePoint Performance – Unused or outdated columns can affect performance, mostly in the case of large document libraries or lists. By deleting them, you can cut out the extra burden from SharePoint and experience the optimal performance of SharePoint.
• Removing Complexity – Having a clean and uncluttered SharePoint site storage, helps users to add or modify site content.
• Flawless Customizations – Performing customizations in SharePoint after removing the outdated columns becomes simplified. If the user is aware of how to create a view in SharePoint Online, and there are no irrelevant columns then customizations become error-free and quick.

Prerequisites to Delete a Column in SharePoint List or Library

Before directly jumping to delete the column from SharePoint, make sure you are fulfilling the below conditions. The column will be permanently deleted.

1. You have informed the affected users.
2. Make sure the column is not in use with the views or calculated columns.
3. Because of the SharePoint column deletion, you cannot revert it back. So, it is advised to migrate SharePoint site to another site. You can do so by using the Robust SharePoint Migrator for an error-free migration process.

If all of the above conditions are marked as successful, then you are good to go to know how to delete a column in SharePoint document library.

How to Delete a Column in SharePoint List or Document Library?

Follow the below steps in the classic experience to permanently remove outdated columns.

• Step 1. Log in to the SharePoint account with the appropriate credentials.
• Step 2. Now, move to the List from which you want to delete the column.
• Step 3. Hit on the Gear icon (settings) and choose the List settings option.
• Step 4. Go to the Column section and click on the Column title that is going to be deleted.
• Step 5. Now, find the Delete option and press it to delete the column from a SharePoint list.

Modern Experience: Steps to Delete a Column in SharePoint List

In the modern SharePoint, the steps are quite different. Let’s move into the details.

• Step 1. After successfully signing to SharePoint.
• Step 2. Open the SharePoint document library or list.
• Step 3. Click on the header of the column that looks outdated or no longer required.
• Step 4. From the opened panel, click on Column Settings > Edit.
• Step 5. Finally, hit the Delete button to delete the column from SharePoint permanently.

How to Delete a Column in SharePoint List Using PowerShell Commands?

Execute the below PowerShell commands to remove the SharePoint list column.

Add-Type -Path "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\16\ISAPI\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.dll"
Add-Type -Path "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\16\ISAPI\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.Runtime.dll"

$SharePoint_Site_URL=""
$List_Name= "Projects"
$Col_Name="Employee Projects Count"

Try {
$Cred = Get-Credential
$Credentials = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.SharePointOnlineCredentials($Cred.Username, $Cred.Password)

$Ctx = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ClientContext($SharePoint_Site_URL)
$Ctx.Credentials = $Credentials

$List = $Ctx.Web.Lists.GetByTitle($List_Name)

$Select_Column = $List.Fields.GetByTitle($Col_Name)

$Select_Column.DeleteObject()
$Ctx.ExecuteQuery()

Write-host "Selected Outdated Column has been deleted Successfully from SharePoint List”
}
Catch {
write-host -f Red "There is an Error while deleting the outdated column from SharePoint List!" $_.Exception.Message
}

Concluded Words

Maintaining the uncluttered and organized SharePoint document library is the top priority of the organizations. Now, after knowing how to delete a column in SharePoint list or library, you can remove the unnecessary columns. But do not forget to take a backup of the columns before their permanent deletion.