Different sets of options in a lookup or choice column depending on the content type

Question

I have a list content type and other content types that derive from it. I need to add a lookup or choice column to the content type (or the list itself) just so that each child content type or list has separate set of options.

For example the parent content type is Assets. The content types deriving from it are Computers and Furniture. I need to add a column named "Asset_Type" that will list "Desktop, Laptop, Tablet" if the content type is Computer and it will list "Table, Chair, Desk" if the content type is Furniture.

I tried various scenarios with site columns but everytime ended up overwriting the parent column options and vice-versa. What should I be doing to make it work?

Answer 1

You should add two separate site columns, one for each derived content type.

You could name first site column "computer asset type" for use in "computer" content type with lookup or choice values "desktop,lptop,tablet". Similarly, you could name second site column "furniture asset type" for use in "furniture" content type with lookup or choice values "table,chair,desk"

EDIT:

If you choose to use solution with one generic column then you should inject the following JavaScript code to forms used for entering and editing list data:

var dropdown = $("select[title='Asset type']");

// If content type equals "Computer" then remove first 3 options
if (document.URL.indexOf("Computer") != -1 && document.URL.indexOf("Upload.aspx") != -1) {
    dropdown.find("option[value='1']").remove();
    dropdown.find("option[value='2']").remove();
    dropdown.find("option[value='3']").remove();
}

// If content type equals "Furniture" then remove last 3 options
if (document.URL.indexOf("Furniture") != -1 && document.URL.indexOf("Upload.aspx") != -1) {
    dropdown.find("option[value='4']").remove();
    dropdown.find("option[value='5']").remove();
    dropdown.find("option[value='6']").remove();
}