How to delete picklist value in Salesforce

In this Salesforce tutorial, we will learn how to delete the picklist value in Salesforce. In addition, we will look at how Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic are used to delete the picklist value in existing records.

While working in an organization that uses the Salesforce CRM tool, I was asked to delete the outdated options that are no longer working. As a result, I made the decision to delete the picklist value.

So, If you want to learn how I delete the picklist value to revise the business process, maintain data integrity, etc. in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic components, you have come to the right place.

What does the delete picklist value mean in Salesforce

In Salesforce, deleting the picklist value is the process that permanently removes a certain option or choice in a picklist field on records. On deletion of the picklist value, that value will be no longer available for the clients.

After deleting the picklist value, the deleted value won’t appear in the list of choices anymore, making it impossible for anyone to pick it or link it to any records in the future.

In addition, we will delete the values to preserve data correctness and consistency, and get rid of outdated or pointless options. Even it is used to ensure that users can only choose current and valid choices while entering the data, preventing mistakes or inconsistent data entry.

Moreover, the deletion of a picklist value may have an impact on previous records or workflows that we have used referring to the value. To prevent problems with data integrity it is essential to analyze and take care of dependent picklist value records.

With this, we have understood what deletion of the picklist value means in Salesforce. Now, we will move ahead and learn the procedure to delete the picklist value in Salesforce Lightning.

Difference between deactivate and delete picklist value in Salesforce

In the previous post, we studied deleting the picklist value in Salesforce.  Maybe you get confused by both the term “Deactivate” and “Delete”.

To clear up the confusion we will discuss the difference between “Deactivate the picklist value” and “Delete the picklist value” in Salesforce.

Deactivate the Picklist Value	Delete the Picklist Value
Deactivate only marked the picklist value as inactive.	Delete in salesforce picklist value permanently deletes the picklist value from the system.
In Salesforce, the existing record retains the deactivated value in the system.	In Salesforce, the existing record losses the deleted values in the case of deleted picklist values.
Deactivating the picklist value in Salesforce preserves the data integrity.	In Salesforce, deleting the picklist value from the record immediately affect the data integrity.
In Salesforce, deleting the picklist value from the record immediately affect the data integrity.	In Salesforce, the already saved record is potentially affected in the case of deleting a record.
The deactivated picklist value can be available in the future too.	Once the picklist field value is deleted, we cannot get back.
The deactivated picklist value can be available in the future too.	The deleted picklist value cannot be available back in the future. It means it cannot be restored.

With this, we have also learned the concept of the difference between “Deactivate the picklist value” and “Delete the picklist value” in Salesforce. Now, we will proceed and learn the steps to delete the picklist value in Salesforce Lightning.

How to delete a picklist value in Salesforce Lightning

Here, are the steps to delete 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 delete 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 delete 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 delete and click on the “Del” link next to it. Here, I select the “Wire Transfer” picklist value as this payment method is outdated in today’s world.

Step 8: If you definitely wish to delete it, click the “OK” button on the pop-up that appears.

Step 9: After clicking on ok, we will redirect to the “Find and Replace Value” page.

Step 10: Now, choose the option with which you want to replace the deleted value, so it will not affect the previously saved records. We have two options as given below, choose as per your requirement.

• Replace value on records with: Choose this option if you want to replace the deleted value with some other value in the picklist values.
• Replace value on records with blank value: Choose this option if you want to replace the deleted value with a blank value.

Here, I choose the “Replace value on records with blank value” option.

Step 11: To finally, delete the picklist value click on the “Save” button.

Step 12: To check that the whether the picklist values have been deleted correctly, navigate to the item whose picklist values have been modified and check.

With this, we have successfully learned to delete the picklist value in Salesforce Lightning Component. Now, we will proceed and learn to delete the picklist value in Salesforce Classic.

How to delete the picklist value in Salesforce Classic

Here, are the steps to delete 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 delete the picklist value under “Customize”. In this case, I select the “Cases” object.

Step 4: Now to get the field that you want to delete click on the “Fields” option.

Step 5: Find the field from the list of the fields whose picklist value you want to delete. 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 delete and click on the “Del” link next to it. In this case, I select the “GC1060” picklist value as this product case number is no longer available in the market.

Step 8: With a click, it will show up a pop-up, click on the “OK” button, if you surely want to delete it.

Step 9: Once you click “OK”, the “Find and Replace Value” page will appear.

Step 10: Now, choose the option with which you want to replace the deleted value, so it will not affect the previously saved records. We have two options as given below, choose as per your requirement.

• Replace value on records with: Choose this option if you want to replace the deleted value with some other value in the picklist values.
• Replace value on records with blank value: Choose this option if you want to replace the deleted value with a blank value.

Here, I choose the “Replace value on records with blank value” option.

Step 11: Click the “Save” button to complete the deletion of the picklist value.

Step 12: To check that the whether the picklist values have been deleted correctly, navigate to the item whose picklist values have been modified and check.

With this, we have successfully learned to delete the picklist value in Salesforce Classic Component.

Conclusion

We have learned once we delete the picklist value from the system in Salesforce, this particular picklist value can no longer be available in the relevant picklist field on records. In addition, a picklist value that has been deleted will also affect the existing records.

Also, users cannot restore this value back if they want it at some moment. Moreover, we have also learned the steps to delete the picklist value in Salesforce Lightning and in Salesforce Classic Component.

You may like the following Salesforce tutorials:

• How to deactivate picklist value in Salesforce
• replace the picklist value in Salesforce
• How to rename the picklist value in Salesforce