---
schema_version: "1"
id: e269ea6127a25e33cd7e423a3256d029708edb577b40433255d945f746e55cc3
title: Change the Data Type of a Custom Field
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/platform/264-0-0/customize_fieldtype.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_fieldtype.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: b61894294ae61550ab1a3fd52c98f62f783dbe58ea1571eab131398952ea0e0c
description: You can modify the data type of a custom field. For example, you can change a field from Text to Text Area (Long).
products:
  - Salesforce Platform
  - Security
release: "264"
---
# Change the Data Type of a Custom Field

You can modify the data type of a custom field. For example, you can change a field from Text to Text Area (Long).

### Required Editions

<table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small edition">
        <colgroup>
          <col>
        </colgroup>
        <tbody>
          <tr class="">
            <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;">Available in: both Salesforce Classic and Lightning
              Experience</td>

          </tr>
          <tr class="">
            <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;">
              <p>Available in: all editions</p>
              <p>Standard Objects are not available
                in <strong>Database.com</strong></p>
              <p style="margin-bottom:0;">Salesforce Connect external objects
                are available in Developer Edition and, for an extra cost, in
                Enterprise, Performance, and Unlimited Editions.</p>
            </td>

          </tr>
        </tbody>
      </table> <table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small permission">
        <colgroup>
          <col style="width:50%">
          <col style="width:50%">
        </colgroup>
        <thead class="slds-text-title_caps ">
          <tr class="">
            <th scope="colgroup" class="slds-cell-wrap" colspan="2" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;" id="d135374e66">User
              Permissions Needed</th>
          </tr>
        </thead>
        <tbody>
          <tr class="">
            <td data-label="User Permissions Needed" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d135374e66 ">To change custom fields:</td>

            <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d135374e66 ">Customize Application</td>

          </tr>
        </tbody>
      </table>

1. From the management settings for the field’s object, go to Fields.
    
    For fields on Salesforce Knowledge article types, from Setup, enter Knowledge Article Types in the Quick Find box, select **Knowledge Article Types**, and then select an article type.
2. Click **Edit** next to the custom field you want to change.
3. Click **Change Field Type**.
4. Select a new data type and click **Next**.
5. Enter a field label, name, and any other attributes, and then save your changes.

#### See Also

- [Custom Field Types](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.custom_field_types.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Salesforce supports various field types, allowing you to select the right one for your data. You can also convert an existing field to a different data type if needed.. When you have data that doesn’t match any of the standard fields, your admin can create a custom field for that data. For example, create a Middle Name field for contacts to capture additional information.")
- [Which Standard Fields Can I Encrypt?](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.security_pe_standard_fields.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Which Custom Fields Can I Encrypt?](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.security_pe_custom_fields.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Find Object Management Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.extend_click_find_objectmgmt_parent.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Salesforce lets you personalize your object model with features like custom fields, page layouts, and validation rules. Depending on which experience of Salesforce you have enabled, these customizations are located in different areas of Setup.")