Renaming a database field

How easy is it to rename a database field? How could it be done? A field we have is being populated with data that is tenuously related to its name due to a bad habit perpetuated through the years. If we renamed the field to more accurately reflect what's in it, would any reports referencing the field be automatically updated?

Parents
  • 0

    Marc Cantor is correct.  Without knowing which field you are talking about, it is hard to provide an answer.

    As a general rule, fields that can easily be renamed are handled under Setup, General Settings, Terminology.

    If this field is a custom field, then your answer would be different.

    Hope this helps.  

    Nancy Duhon, Esq.

    Master Certified Consultant for Timeslips,Certified Consultant for Amicus Attorney

    Duhon Technology Solutions, LLC

    a member of Certified Resources Network, LLC

    [email protected]

    404-325-9779

    Providing personalized local and remote online support for Amicus Attorney andTimeslips users for over 21 years. Available for private consultations, including older/unsupported versions.

  • 0 in reply to Nancy Duhon

    Sorry. I'm talking about the possibility of renaming a custom field. Right now there is a Salutation custom database field and a Contact custom database field. Instead of Mr., Mrs., Dr., Rev., etc. being in Salutation, it's the place where, when there IS a contact other than the actual client, that other person's name is usually put. In other words, Salutation is usually the repository of (alternate) contact name (when there is one). Only occasionally, depending on who was doing the entry, has the actual Contact database field been used for this info.

    So, my thought is that it might be easiest to take the few alternate contact names that were actually entered into the Contact database field, move them to Salutation, delete Contact and then rename Salutation to Contact. However, if we do rename this database field, what happens to any existing reports that reference the field with the old name - are they automatically updated with the new name or must that be done manually? Our invoices use Salutation when there is an alternate contact, e.g. John Doe (contact), Estate of Mary Doe (client), 12345 Main Street, etc.

  • 0 in reply to martyk

    Well, sort of yes and no,  

    Let's start with the yes part. The Salutation custom field can be renamed.  You will find it under Setup, Custom Fields, Client tab.  It is a text type custom field.  Leave the type alone, just edit the name.

    Now for the no part.  There is no field called Contact in Sage Timeslips.  There is something called Client Full Name, that is the first line of the address used on the bill.  You cannot delete the Client Full Name field, and you cannot substitute in a different field in place of that field.  It is hard coded.

    Now, what you CAN do is go into your bill layout and adjust the name and address area to use the Salutation Custom Field in place of the Client Full Name.  Which might get you what you want.

    Hope this helps.  

    Nancy Duhon, Esq.

    Master Certified Consultant for Timeslips, Certified Consultant for Amicus Attorney

    Duhon Technology Solutions, LLC

    a member of Certified Resources Network, LLC

    [email protected]

    404-325-9779

    Providing personalized local and remote online support for Amicus Attorney and Timeslips users for over 21 years. Available for private consultations, including older/unsupported versions.

  • 0 in reply to Nancy Duhon

    If I rename the Salutation custom field, will the reports and bill layouts that use it automatically pick up the change and refer to the field by the new name?

  • 0 in reply to martyk

    Yes, they should.  It is really just a label.

    Hope this helps.  

    Nancy Duhon, Esq.

    Master Certified Consultant for Timeslips,Certified Consultant for Amicus Attorney

    Duhon Technology Solutions, LLC

    a member of Certified Resources Network, LLC

    [email protected]

    404-325-9779

    Providing personalized local and remote online support for Amicus Attorney andTimeslips users for over 21 years. Available for private consultations, including older/unsupported versions.

Reply
  • 0 in reply to martyk

    Yes, they should.  It is really just a label.

    Hope this helps.  

    Nancy Duhon, Esq.

    Master Certified Consultant for Timeslips,Certified Consultant for Amicus Attorney

    Duhon Technology Solutions, LLC

    a member of Certified Resources Network, LLC

    [email protected]

    404-325-9779

    Providing personalized local and remote online support for Amicus Attorney andTimeslips users for over 21 years. Available for private consultations, including older/unsupported versions.

Children
No Data