Rename "Title" column on multiple lists

Question

I have 3 or 4 lists where the title column is not required. Hence I started renaming the Title field to any other text field that I have in the list per the below blog. http://spandothers.wordpress.com/2009/01/17/renaming-the-title-column-in-a-sharepoint-list/

When I started renaming the title column in the second list it threw an error while deploying, stating that a column with the same GUID already exists. So I changed the content type, Inherits="FALSE".

Now everything works fine but I am not able to customize the "All Items" view in the list settings or create new views. How can I get around it.

I am using VS2010, SP2010 and XML to create lists.

Answer 1

If the title field is not needed it's better to not use it at all, than to use it for another text field. As standard it shows as a link and you have very little freedom with it (not to mention the other bugs it can throw up)

If you want to exclude the Title field from your list and forms all you need to do is:

1. Set the title field as not required under Columns
2. In Advanced settings set Content Types>Allow management of content types? to Yes
3. This will add a Content Types section to the settings. Click on Item under Content Type
4. In the list of columns click Title
5. Set Column Settings>This column is: to Hidden Save your changes and then set Allow management of content types? to No again
6. Exclude the title field from any views

It's a few more steps than just changing the name but it's far better for you site. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I think the easiest way is to change the Title column of a list programmatically.

var field = customersList.Fields[SPBuiltInFieldId.Title];
field.Title = "My New Title";
field.Update();

Check this answer: https://sharepoint.stackexchange.com/a/36024/11333