Turn on support for multiple content types in a list or library

In this article

• Introduction

• About adding multiple content types to a list or library

• Multiple content type considerations

• Turn on multiple content types in a library

• Turn on multiple content types in a list

Introduction

A content type describes the attributes of a document, folder, or list item. Each content type can specify a set of properties, forms to edit and display properties, workflows to be available for the document or list item, and a document template (Document content types only). Content types can also be extended with custom features. When you add a content type to a library or list, you specify that the library or list can contain objects of that content type.

About adding multiple content types to a list or library

Most libraries and lists can contain multiple content types. By defining multiple content types for a list or library, you can make it easy to build libraries or lists that store different types of documents together in one place. For example, a library can contain both the documents and the graphics related to a project. In the library, the graphic files are listed with the columns of information assigned to the graphics content type and the documents are listed with the columns assigned to the document content type. By using the document library New command, authors can create new items of either content type.

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Multiple content type considerations

Before adding content types on a library or list, it is helpful to understand the following:

• Content types can be configured to require that certain fields, also known as columns, contain information. When uploading or creating a document, if no information is included in the required columns, the user is prompted to provide it. The required columns are configured on and enforced by the content type, not by the list or library.

• The fields that appear on a form are determined by the content type associated with that form, not by the list or library.

• The document template that is used when creating a new document is specified by the content type, not the list or library.

• Workflows and events can be bound to content types.

• Content types that have a parent/child relationship with a higher level site can be affected by actions that occur when the parent content type is updated.

Turn on multiple content types in a library

1. Open the library for which you want to enable multiple content types.

   Note:  You cannot enable multiple content types in the Wiki Library

2. On the ribbon, underLibrary Tools, click the Library tab

3. In theSettings group, click Library settings.

4. In the General Settings section, select Advanced Settings.

5. In the Content Types section, click Yes under Allow management of content types?

6. Change any other settings that you want, and then click OK.

Turn on multiple content types in a list

1. Open the list or calendar for which you want to enable multiple content types.

2. On the ribbon, underList Tools, click the List tab.

3. In theSettings group, click List settings.

4. In the General Settings section, select Advanced Settings.

5. In the Content Types section, click Yes under Allow management of content types?

6. Change any other settings that you want, and then click OK.

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