Removing the "Categories" field from an Issue Tracking list in SharePoint

Question

When I create an Issue Tracking list in SharePoint, I am unable to remove the Categories choice field that it adds by default as part of the Issue content type. I looked in the list definition but I can't find anything explicit about not allowing the column to be deleted. Does anybody know why the Delete button isn't showing up? Is there a way to delete this field?

Answer 1

I know that I have had a similar issue with field in a variety of fields where once the field is added, it is not possible to remove it.

Sometimes it is possible to create code to delete the field, but in most of the situations I have come across we have had to hide the field to prevent it from appearing.

This requires moving to using Powershell and the SharePoint object model to make the changes.

In most of our implementations, we have found it much better to create a custom solution with a custom feature that adds the custom lists and fields using the XML format for doing this. A list template can then be create exactly for what you need.

Doing it this way gives us more control over the result in a repeatable manner.

Answer 2

1. Go to: Portal > Site Settings > Site Content Type Gallery > Site Content Type
2. Select Issue Content Type
3. Select Categories
4. Click Remove button on the new page

Worked for me, just tried it.

Answer 3

You must learn the art of SharePoint. You're asking for a non-code, unintrusive way to customize the Categories field on an Issues list. This is impossible.

The Issues list in particular has some behavior associated with it--it's not just a custom list with a Categories field. If you want, you can build your own custom list similar to the Issues list, and leave out the Categories field. But you'll notice your custom list doesn't have all the behavior.

I'm not sure which option I suggest. The Content Type solution from Frenki is intrusive but works. The PowerShell solution from Nat will work (just hide the field, don't delete it...). If you make your own customized Issues list from a custom list, you'll miss the Issues list behavior.

But there's no perfect solution. This is something you have to accept with a large, already-baked framework like SharePoint.

Answer 4

Toni's solution did work, but be careful- this will also remove the category field from EVERY ISSUES TRACKING LIST being used currently and any future ones created.