A site column is a reusable column definition, or template, that you can assign to multiple lists across multiple SharePoint sites. Site columns are useful if your organization wants to establish some consistent settings across lists and libraries. You can share the settings across multiple lists and libraries so that you don't have to recreate the settings each time. For example, suppose you define a site column named Customer. Users can add that column to their content types or list. This ensures that the column has the same attributes, at least to start with, wherever it appears.
When you add an item to the list or library, you fill out a form in which each column is represented by a field. Each field is labeled with the name of the column. If you provide a description for the column, the description appears below the field. You can use the description to help team members fill out the form by explaining what kind of information goes in the field.
- On the Site Actions menu
, click Site Settings.
- Note: On a site for which the Site Actions menu is customized, point to Site Settings, and then click the settings that you want to view.
- On the Site Settings page, under Galleries, click Site columns.
- On the Site Column Gallery page, click Create.
- In the Name and Type section, type the name that you want in the Column name box.
- Select the type of information you want to store in the column.
