How to delete a field instead of hiding it?

[Amit_Jain]

Issue: Marketo does not allow you to delete a field, intead you can just hide a field so that it's not visible to users.

Resolution: You can't delete the fields but you can ask Marketo support to merge the fields. What if you cleanup the field meaning remove all dependnacies and clear up all the values of that field and ask Marketo support to merge the field into any other field? This should work, right?

[Karan_Hari3]

Hey Amit Jain‌,

If the situation reaches where one needs to contact Marketo, then Marketo support can directly "Delete" the fields from their end rather than having to merge them.

As far as cleaning a custom field is concerned, if the field is relatively new and not extensively used, then it can directly be cleaned by checking references of where the field is used, in the field management, and then clear them out. Once this is done, then you can change the field type and re-use the field for any other desired goal or objective. Here is an article about changing field type - https://nation.marketo.com/blogs/marketowhisperer/2016/04/02/changing-the-field-type-of-a-marketo-fi...

Also a few additional Ideas that have been posted on the community about this topic - https://nation.marketo.com/ideas/8870, https://nation.marketo.com/ideas/2072, https://nation.marketo.com/ideas/1696

Best Always,

Karan Hari

[Amit_Jain]

Thanks Karan! I was under impression that Marketo support also do not delete the field directly. Good to know that it's possible.

Regards,

Amit

[Grace_Brebner3]

They just don't like to publicise it too much...

Side note: Supports ability/willingness to do this FOC is always going to be dependent on the number of fields you're asking to have removed. Don't expect them to do this for lots of fields! <10 typically is fine though.

[Floyd_Alvares1]

Marketo Professional Services can also work with you and help you delete fields and dependencies of a larger volume. If there are more than 10 fields to be deleted or if more work is required to delete the not required fields, Marketo Support generally puts you in contact with a Marketo Professional Service rep and then you can have your discussions.

Hope this helps

Thanks

Floyd

[Pratyusha_Ram1]

We've always created a support case for deletion of fields - MKTO support will take care of that for you. Remember to remove all the references of the field such as in smart lists and campaigns.  

[Denise_Greenbe7]

I'd just add that in my experience Support will always say "no" the first time you ask them to delete a field.