Creating “Append-Only” Comment Field in Custom SharePoint List

3
votes

I am relatively new to SharePoint, working with WSS SharePoint 2.0. The "Issues" list template contains an "append-only" comment column. The great thing about this append-only comment column is that it saves a history of the comments entered every time you save, and it clears out the comment field for the next time you edit the item.

I would like to add this column to a custom list. However, when I add a new column, it does not give me an option to add this type of comment column - it only gives options for single or multiple lines of text. Is there a way to do this?

3
sharepointcustom-lists
Are you talking about WSS 2.0 (aka SharePoint2003) or WSS 3.0 (aka SharePoint 2007)? WSS2 doesn't have an "append only" comment field on Issues lists - it keeps previous versions of the whole record. – Ryan

3 Answers

2
votes

You can create an append-only column by choosing the Multiple Lines of Text option and selecting "Append Changes to Existing Text". I believe this only applies to lists, not document libraries. Other kinds of lists may restrict this, too.

1
votes

if you're using SharePoint 2007, In the List/Library Settings click Add from existing site columns. Under Base Columns Append-Only Comments should be there. In order for the "tracking" to work Versioning must be enabled for that list/library.

0
votes

Not having an append-only field in a document library made me pretty sad. But this template made me happy again: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=02C4D1B4-7D53-4B72-B577-3DA23F86EC17&displaylang=en

It's the Document Library and Review template and allows each document to have a "Discuss" button and related discussion thread.