Convert a Column to a Link-to-Item in SharePoint

 Feb 04, 2016

In a SharePoint List or Library by default, there is a column from which you can edit or view the properties of an item, e.g. column Title in the picture. This column is called Link-to-Item column.

Sharepoint

Sometimes you need to have a different column to be a Link-to-Item. Let’s say the Store ID in the Picture.

The processes is very simple but you need to have SharePoint Designer installed. SharePoint Designer is free to download from Microsoft website and is easy to install. Once you have it installed then follow the procedure below.

  • Fire up SharePoint Designer and connect to your site by clicking on Open Site and typing in the URL of your site. Will take a while to connect.
  • Now from the Navigation Pane on the left select Lists and Libraries and then select the list or library that you want to work with
  • On the summary page you should see a section called Views. In it you should see All Items. Right click on it and select Edit File in Advanced Mode
  • Search for the tag . Once you find it you should see a few tags underneath it.
SharePoint Code
  • Find the one that has the name of the column you are looking for. In our case I am looking for Store ID. You should now add LinkToItem=”TRUE” after Name attribute so the final product should look something like this;
SharePoint Code
  • Save your view and now you can either preview it or test it in your browser. You should now have something like this where Store ID is now a link.
Sharepoint
  • If you also want the menu drop down to appear on the Store ID you should also add this attribute ListItemMenu=”TRUE”

SharePoint Code

Remember if it didn’t work for you straight away give it a few minutes time.

Some people have reported that changing “LinkToItem” to “linkToItem” does the trick for them. Also I’ve seen that when you add both attributes ListItemMenu=”TRUE” LinkToItem=”TRUE” it starts working then you can remove the ListItemMenu=”TRUE”.

Hope this has helped.

Cyrus Mohseni.

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About the Author:

Cyrus Mohseni  

Having worked within the education and training industry for over 15 years as well as the IT industry for 10 years, Cyrus brings to New Horizons a wealth of experience and skill. Throughout his career he has been involved in the development and facilitation of numerous training programs aimed at providing individuals with the skills they require to achieve formal qualification status. Cyrus is a uniquely capable trainer who possesses the ability to connect with students at all levels of skill and experience.

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