Copying a List Item with Different Field Names

Question

currently I'm trying to copy from one list to another. However I have an issue in that the field names are different and can't really change without causing more headaches (example: First Name is FName on the other list) . I'm wondering what have people done to move list items when this is the case. I could always resort to a custom development script but was hoping to avoid this.

One theory I had and wondered if anyone tried is something of a "junction table" that would have 2 fields such as First Name and Fname with Fname being a lookup to First Name. Then do a multi-step copy in the workflow, does this work? Thanks!

This is using MOSS 2007 with SharePoint Designer workflows.

Answer 1

Unfortunately I don't think you're going to be able to get around this without script since the column names are different. Sorry it wasn't the answer you were looking for.

Answer 2

Instead of the "Copy item" action in SPD workflow, use "Create item". This will give you the junction table you're looking for.

Answer 3

You can go to the list you want to copy the items from, and then select:

Actions, Export to Spreadsheet.

This will then enable you to save this data to a file called: owssvr.iqy

You then open this file with Microsoft Excel, and then select (highlight) the data that you want to export into your other list, and copy. [Do not copy the data underneath the columns 'Item Type' and 'Path'.]

Leave Excel open for the moment. Now you can go your your other list, and select:

Actions, Edit in Datasheet, then Paste your data. Even better if both lists have columns in the same order.

Once done, all you do is select Actions, Show In Standard View. That's it!

Hope that helps.

Regards, Ash