How to Delete a Column in SharePoint List or Library (Modern + Classic + PowerShell)

When I was organizing my SharePoint site, I realized some columns in my document libraries and lists were no longer needed. I wanted a clean and efficient setup, but I wasn’t sure how to delete a column in SharePoint list or library without breaking anything.

So, I researched and found several ways, i.e. modern experience, classic experience, and PowerShell. If you’re in a similar situation, here’s everything I learned.

Why Did I Need to Delete Unnecessary Columns from SharePoint List or Library?

Deleting the outdated or no longer required columns is essential to manage the document library efficiently. Below are some key reasons that push me to remove the SharePoint sites column permanently:

• Embellish User Experience – A document library with multiple columns can overburden users in keeping the document library organized. On the other hand, removing irrelevant columns can enhance user experience.
• Flawless Customizations – Performing customizations in SharePoint after removing the outdated columns becomes simplified. If the user is aware of how to create a view in SharePoint Online, and there are no irrelevant columns then customizations become error-free and quick.
• Improve SharePoint Performance – Unused or outdated columns can affect performance, mostly in the case of large document libraries or lists. By deleting them, you can cut out the extra burden from SharePoint and experience the optimal performance of SharePoint.
• Removing Complexity – Having a clean and uncluttered SharePoint site storage, helps users to add or modify site content.

Prerequisites to Delete a Column in SharePoint List or Library

Before making any changes to columns, I reviewed Microsoft’s official guidance on managing list and library columns to ensure I wasn’t impacting anything critical:

• I have informed the affected users.
• I’ll make sure the column is not in use by the views or calculated columns.
• Deleting a column is irreversible. So, it is advised to migrate SharePoint tenant to another. You can do so by using the Robust SharePoint Migration Tool for an error-free migration process.

If all of the above conditions are marked as successful, then you can easily understand how to delete a column in SharePoint document library.

How to Delete a Column in SharePoint List or Document Library – Classic Experience

I followed these steps below in the classic experience to permanently remove outdated columns:

• Step 1. Log in to the SharePoint account with the appropriate credentials.
• Step 2. Now, move to the List from which you want to delete the column.
• Step 3. Hit the Gear icon (settings) and choose the List settings option.
• Step 4. Go to the Column section and click on the Column title that is going to be deleted.
• Step 5. Now, find the Delete option and press it to delete the column from a SharePoint list.

Modern Experience: Steps to Delete a Column in SharePoint List

In modern SharePoint, the steps are quite different. Let’s move into the details.

• Step 1. After successfully signing in to SharePoint.
• Step 2. Open the SharePoint document library or list.
• Step 3. Click on the header of the column that looks outdated or no longer required.
• Step 4. From the opened panel, click on Column Settings > Edit.
• Step 5. Finally, hit the Delete button to delete the column from SharePoint permanently.

How to Delete a Column in SharePoint List Using PowerShell Commands?

Since I also work with automation, I followed Microsoft’s official PowerShell documentation for SharePoint Online to ensure safe script execution. This worked for me:

Add-Type -Path "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\16\ISAPI\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.dll"
Add-Type -Path "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\16\ISAPI\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.Runtime.dll"

$SharePoint_Site_URL=""
$List_Name= "Projects"
$Col_Name="Employee Projects Count"

Try {
$Cred = Get-Credential
$Credentials = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.SharePointOnlineCredentials($Cred.Username, $Cred.Password)

$Ctx = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ClientContext($SharePoint_Site_URL)
$Ctx.Credentials = $Credentials

$List = $Ctx.Web.Lists.GetByTitle($List_Name)

$Select_Column = $List.Fields.GetByTitle($Col_Name)

$Select_Column.DeleteObject()
$Ctx.ExecuteQuery()

Write-host "Selected Outdated Column has been deleted Successfully from SharePoint List”
}
Catch {
write-host -f Red "There is an Error while deleting the outdated column from SharePoint List!" $_.Exception.Message
}

Author’s Verdict

Maintaining an uncluttered and organized SharePoint document library is the top priority of organizations. Now, after knowing how to delete a column in SharePoint list or library, you can remove the unnecessary columns. But do not forget to take a backup SharePoint Online to local storage before its permanent deletion.

Frequently Asked Questions (According to my Real Life Experience)

Q1. How do I delete the column from the list in the classic SharePoint experience?

A – If you are using the classic experience, then use the below steps to delete the unnecessary column from the SharePoint list.

1. Sign in to your SharePoint account and open your SharePoint list.
2. Click on Settings and then select the List settings.
3. Choose the Column title and hit the Delete button to delete the column from the SharePoint list.

Q2. Is using PowerShell commands to delete the SharePoint list’s column safe?

A – It depends upon your expertise level of PowerShell. If you are a regular user of PowerShell and use it in routine tasks, then you are good to go. However, it is better to avoid this method because incorrect execution of the PowerShell commands can lead to data loss. 

Q3. What are the steps to delete the column from the document library in the modern SharePoint experience?

A – For deleting the column from the SharePoint modern experience, execute the steps below. 

1. After logging in to your SharePoint account, open the SharePoint document library.
2. Hit the header of the column that you want to delete.
3. Now, from the opened panel, click on Column Settings and then Edit.
4. Lastly, click on the Delete button. 

Q4. Can I delete the default columns from the SharePoint list?

A – No, you cannot delete the default columns from the SharePoint lists.

Q5. Can I recover the deleted column from the SharePoint list or library?

A – No, you cannot get them back. So, check their existence in other lists before deleting them.