---
schema_version: "1"
id: 6720419a5fa00103f629f08c8a8ae2f473e53680428cb1f474cafe5410d4c0b0
title: Replace a Picklist Value
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/platform/264-0-0/customize_replace.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.customize_replace.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: d5a2b8552a79293e83467b7e7f2db7598886b245c528f502d609f8af56a15e29
description: As your business changes, replace picklist values with more relevant alternatives. Replacing a value globally replaces that field value on all existing records.
products:
  - Salesforce Platform
  - Security
release: "264"
---
# Replace a Picklist Value

As your business changes, replace picklist values with more relevant alternatives. Replacing a value globally replaces that field value on all existing records.

### 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;">Available in: all editions</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="d86924e60">User Permissions
              Needed</th>
          </tr>
        </thead>
        <tbody>
          <tr class="">
            <td data-label="User Permissions Needed" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d86924e60 ">To replace picklist values:</td>

            <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d86924e60 ">Customize Application</td>

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

For example, let’s say you have a status picklist with three different closed values, Closed-red, Closed-yellow, and Closed-green, and you want to simplify those three values to just one. Replace them with the new value Closed.

![Important](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-platform-extend_click-264-0-0-production-enus/5f7d9219-b7b1-4552-8891-f1aba9b289fc/images/icon_important.png)

Important If you replace a parent value in a controlling picklist, the picklist dependency on that value is lost. After replacing the parent value, [re-create the dependency](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.fields_defining_field_dependencies.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Specify a dependent picklist and its values for your org.") using the new parent value.

1. If necessary, create the replacement value in the picklist edit page. See [Add or Edit Picklist Values](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.updating_picklists.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Add new values or rename existing values in a custom picklist from the fields area of an object. If the picklist uses a global picklist value set, you can change its values only by editing the global value set. Your changes affect all picklists that inherit their values from that global value set.").
2. Navigate to the picklist.
    - For a global picklist value set: From Setup, enter picklist in the Quick Find box, then select **Picklist Value Sets**.
    - For a picklist on an object, go to the fields area of the object. For example, for an Account picklist: From Setup, enter Account in the Quick Find box, then select **Fields** under Accounts.
3. Replace the picklist value.
    - For a global picklist value set: Go to the Global Value Set Detail page by clicking the picklist name. In the Values section, click **Replace**.
    - For all other picklists: Click **Replace** next to the picklist name.
4. Enter the value you want to change, and select a new replacement value.
    
    Replacing an existing picklist value also changes the Modified By date and time for the record.
5. To use the new value in records where this field is empty, select Replace all blank values.
6. To update all occurrences of the value in your org’s records with the new value, click **Replace**. Occurrences in the Recycle Bin are also updated.

The replace job is queued. To check the job’s status, from Setup, enter Background Jobs in the Quick Find box, then select **Background Jobs**. You receive an email when the job is complete. If you replace the Stage picklist for opportunities, the Probability, Forecast Category, and Expected Revenue fields are also updated with the corresponding values.

#### See Also

- [Create a Global Picklist Value Set](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.fields_creating_global_picklists.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Use a global picklist value set to share values across objects and custom picklist fields, and to restrict the picklists to only the values that you specify.")
- [Protect Picklist API Names for Formulas and Integrations](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.fields_picklist_protect.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "When you create a picklist value, an API Name that matches the Label is assigned. By default, the API Name can be changed at any time, but you can choose to protect the API Name.")
- [Manage Inactive Picklist Values](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.fields_manage_inactive_picklist_values.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Establish upper bound limits, deactivate, reactivate, or remove a value from a restricted or unrestricted picklist.")