I have a list that I created from importing in an excel spreadsheet (originally from a db table). There is some data in there that I do not want the users to use anymore, but I want them to view. For instance they used people's initials to identify them, but I want to add a field to the list and use the people lookup and have them use that. However, if I keep the old column active I know they will continue to use it when they create new entries. Here's my question: how can i disable this field/column from allowing input, but allow the user to still view it? I would rather not create an infopath form for this if I don't have to since I have 17,000 rows of data that I previously imported in. As always any help is appreciated, Hyde moss 2007 | sql 2005

You can try the SharePoint Tip Utilities and set the column to read only http://spstipsutilitypack.codeplex.com/ You can see Ayman El-Hattab's answer here that shows how to do it with code and CAML. http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sharepointdevelopment/thread/17e4bf86-c9f9-49be-b24d-c0ca54fb1023 HTH Nagesh S Days and years do not mean anything to me. Moments shared are frozen in their time frame. Distance or time never fades them for me. I cherish them like my life. I have never let them sleep alone. Sachi

Thanks for the quick reply. I have question; have you used the codeplex utility pack? I dumped it on the server and when I put the url in to use the list management -> change field settings I get an error message: See the end of this message for details on invoking just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box. ************** Exception Text ************** System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not load file or assembly 'Microsoft.SharePoint, Version=12.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=71e9bce111e9429c' or one of its dependencies. The system cannot find the file specified. File name: 'Microsoft.SharePoint, Version=12.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=71e9bce111e9429c' at SpsTips.SharePoint.Applications.Forms.HiddenFieldSettingsManager.loadSite_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.OnClick(EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnClick(EventArgs e) at System.Windows.Forms.Button.OnMouseUp(MouseEventArgs mevent) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmMouseUp(Message& m, MouseButtons button, Int32 clicks) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.ButtonBase.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Button.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m) at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam) WRN: Assembly binding logging is turned OFF. To enable assembly bind failure logging, set the registry value [HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Fusion!EnableLog] (DWORD) to 1. Note: There is some performance penalty associated with assembly bind failure logging. To turn this feature off, remove the registry value [HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Fusion!EnableLog]. ************** Loaded Assemblies ************** mscorlib Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3615 (GDR.050727-3600) CodeBase: file:///c:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll ---------------------------------------- SharePoint Tips Utility Pack Assembly Version: 1.3.0.0 Win32 Version: 1.3.0.0 CodeBase: file://hrmoss01/c$/Documents%20and%20Settings/jreynolda/Desktop/SharePoint%20Tips%20Utility%20Pack.exe ---------------------------------------- System.Windows.Forms Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll ---------------------------------------- System Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3614 (GDR.050727-3600) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll ---------------------------------------- System.Drawing Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll ---------------------------------------- System.Configuration Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll ---------------------------------------- System.Xml Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0 Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.3053 (netfxsp.050727-3000) CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll ---------------------------------------- ************** JIT Debugging ************** To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this application or computer (machine.config) must have the jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section. The application must also be compiled with debugging enabled. For example: <configuration> <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" /> </configuration> When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer rather than be handled by this dialog box. Thanks, Hyde

Looks like it is not able to Find the SharePoint libraries for some reason. And yes. I have used it. I once it on the SP Server i use the machine name and port. or hitting it as http://localhost:<port>/site/subsite. HTH Nagesh S Days and years do not mean anything to me. Moments shared are frozen in their time frame. Distance or time never fades them for me. I cherish them like my life. I have never let them sleep alone. Sachi

The version i have on my machine is 1.3.0.0. I am running MOSS 2007 with SP2 on a W2K3 Server. I just tested and it seems to work fine. HTH Nagesh S Days and years do not mean anything to me. Moments shared are frozen in their time frame. Distance or time never fades them for me. I cherish them like my life. I have never let them sleep alone. Sachi

Thanks again for the quick responses. I have moss 2007 on windows 2003 sp2 and i am also using version 1.3.0.0 of the utility pack. The web app doesn't have a port number; i tried the following: http://localhost/sites/mysite http://webapp/sites/mysite I am running it off the desktop of the FWS.

Have you tried setting the ShowInNewForm and ShowInEditForm properties on your field to false? Although it cannot be done through the UI you can do it using the API or PowerShell.w: http://blog.mastykarz.nl | t: @waldekm | c: http://mavention.codeplex.com | c: http://mavention.nl

I get that exact error when I run the tool from my desk top which does not have SharePoint installed on it. So it is unable to find the Sharepoint DLLs. I have copied the tool to the Servers D Drive and remote in and run it seems to work fine.HTH Nagesh S Days and years do not mean anything to me. Moments shared are frozen in their time frame. Distance or time never fades them for me. I cherish them like my life. I have never let them sleep alone. Sachi

Thank you for the reply. No, I have not. I did not know that was an option. But from what I google that property seems to only allow you to hide those fields not disable them (keep them visible, but not allow additional information to be added). However, I may have misconstrued the information. Thanks, Hyde

Setting Read only will Hide it from the new and edit and view forms. it will show up in the list view. it will also disable edits in the datasheet views. here is a way to hide them using JavaScript. using the same technique you can set the control to readonly. http://sharepointsherpa.com/2008/08/26/sharepoint-2007-hiding-fields-on-newformaspx-and-editformaspx-the-easy-way/ http://dev.techmachi.com/?p=424HTH Nagesh S Days and years do not mean anything to me. Moments shared are frozen in their time frame. Distance or time never fades them for me. I cherish them like my life. I have never let them sleep alone. Sachi

Nagesh: Ok I got the Codeplex project working. Yay since that seemed the simplest solution. I need permissions i did not have on the DB. Only one issue; when I change the value to read and then click set values it removed the field from the edit view. I have all the values selected int he fields display settings on the left of the settings manager. Any advice? Thanks again, Hyde