In this Salesforce tutorial, we will learn how to deactivate the picklist value in Salesforce. In addition, we will look at how Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic are used to deactivate the picklist value in existing records.
While working in an organization that uses the Salesforce CRM tool, I was asked to disable the payment method “Cash” for some time for the clients. As a result, I made the decision to deactivate the picklist value.
So, If you want to learn how I deactivated the picklist value for process changes, data cleanup, etc. in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic components, you have come to the right place.
What does deactivating the picklist value mean?
In Salesforce, deactivating the picklist value means making a certain option or choice in a picklist field on records inaccessible for selection. Basically, we can effectively make a picklist value unavailable to users when they are filling out or modifying a record by deactivating it.
In addition, deactivating a picklist value is beneficial in many situations. We can deactivate picklist values, if it is no longer applicable to our business processes, become outdated, prevent misunderstanding in some fields, improper data entry, etc.
Even it can be useful if we wish to simplify the picklist field’s selections and restrict the choices to those that are already accepted or widely used.
Moreover, deactivating a picklist value doesn’t actually delete or remove it from the system. The value is still in the field’s configuration and is available for future use if necessary.
With this, we have understood what deactivating the picklist value means in Salesforce. Now, we will move ahead and learn the procedure to deactivate the picklist value in Salesforce Lightning.
How to deactivate the picklist value in Salesforce Lightning
Here, are the steps to deactivate the picklist value in Salesforce Lightning.
Step 1: First log in to the Salesforce account and select “Setup” from the menu in the top right corner of the page.
Step 2: From the setup menu, click on the “Object Manager” option.
Step 3: It will redirect you to the object manager page, now search for the object you want to deactivate the picklist value and click on it. So, here I click on the “Product” object.
Step 4: Click on the “Fields & Relationships” option left side menu on the screen.
Step 5: Now, search for the picklist field to whom you want to deactivate the value. Here, I select the “Payment Method” field.
Step 6: On success, it will redirect us to the picklist detail page. Now, scroll down to the “Values” section.
Step 7: Find the picklist value that you want to deactivate and click on the “Deactivate” link next to it. Here, I select the “Cheque” picklist value.
Step 8: With a click, it will show up a pop-up, click on the “OK” button, if you surely want to deactivate it.
Step 9: To check that the whether the picklist values have been deactivated correctly, navigate to the item whose picklist values have been modified and check.
With this, we have successfully learned to deactivate the picklist value in Salesforce Lightning Component. Now, we will proceed and learn to deactivate the picklist value in Salesforce Classic.
How to deactivate the picklist value in Salesforce Classic
Here, are the steps to deactivate the picklist value in Salesforce Classic.
Step 1: We must first sign in to Salesforce Classic. To do this, click on “Avatar” and select “Switch to Salesforce Classic”.
Step 2: Then, select “Setup” from the menu.
Step 3: Scroll down to the “Build” section. Select the object for which we want to deactivate the picklist value under “Customize”. In this case, I select the “Cases” object.
Step 4: Now to get the field that you want to deactivate click on the “Fields” option.
Step 5: Find the field from the list of the fields whose picklist value you want to deactivate. Here, I select the “Product” picklist field.
Step 6: Scroll down to the “Values” section, where you will see a list of all the picklist values.
Step 7: Find the value you want to deactivate and click on the “Deactivate” link next to it. In this case, I select the “GC3040” picklist value.
Step 8: With a click, it will show up a pop-up, click on the “OK” button, if you surely want to deactivate it.
Step 9: To check that the whether the picklist values have been deactivated correctly, navigate to the item whose picklist values have been modified and check.
With this, we have successfully learned to deactivate the picklist value in Salesforce Classic Component.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the picklist value can no longer be selected in the relevant picklist field on records once it has been deactivated. In addition, a picklist value that has already been picked will remain in existing records even after it has been deactivated.
But after deactivating it, users cannot choose that value while creating new records or modifying existing entries. Moreover, we have also learned the steps to deactivate the picklist value in Salesforce Lightning and in Salesforce Classic Component.
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I am Bijay Kumar, the founder of SalesforceFAQs.com. Having over 10 years of experience working in salesforce technologies for clients across the world (Canada, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, etc.). I am a certified salesforce administrator and expert with experience in developing salesforce applications and projects. My goal is to make it easy for people to learn and use salesforce technologies by providing simple and easy-to-understand solutions. Check out the complete profile on About us.