Converting text to checkbox

[Bryan_Winston]

Is it possible to convert textual data within a column as you change the field type from single line text to checkbox. I’ve uploaded a pre-existing spreadsheet that contained the text “complete” to show the status of processing. I would like to convert the field to checkbox and therefore, convert any data marked complete to a checkbox.

[kuovonne · Accepted solution]

Welcome to the Airtable community.

If you convert a single line text field to a checkbox, Airtable will try to determine if the checkbox is selected based on the text.

The following text will convert to :heavy_check_mark: :

• 1
• true
• yes
• checked

The following will convert to unchecked:

• 0
• false
• no
• blank
• random text

If you want to use a different method for having a check box selected I recommend you take a multi-step process:

1. Create a formula field that examines the existing text field and converts it to one of the above values. For example,
   IF({text field name} = "complete", 1)

2. Convert the formula field to a checkbox field.

3. Delete the original text field (if desired).