How to Create a Cross-Site Lookup Site Column in SharePoint 2013?

Lookup columns are used to get their value from a field in another list in SharePoint sites. Lookup fields also provide a relationship between lists/libraries. Could I create a lookup column from the list on another site? Sure, use site columns so that you can utilize SharePoint 2013 lookup column from a different site!

Site columns are available to its subsites, So create it in the Root site!

SharePoint Site column Hierarchy:

Create Cross-Site Lookup Site Column in SharePoint

Create Cross-Site Lookup Site Column in SharePoint:

Why create Lookup as a Site column? Because, If it’s created as a site column, it can be used at any subsite under the site collection while the lookup source list is at the parent site (or root site)! In short, create your lookup site column at the parent site so that it can be used on any underlying subsites of the site collection!

Assuming you have an existing list with all available lookup values in a “Single Line of Text” column, Here is how to create a cross-site lookup site column in SharePoint 2013:

  1. Go to the root level site of your SharePoint site collection. Navigate to Settings >> Click on the “Site Columns” link
    sharepoint cross site lookup column
  2. On the Site columns page, Click on the “Create” link
    sharepoint create lookup site column
  3. Provide the Name, Column type, Group, Source List, Source Column values. Click on the “OK” button once done.
    sharepoint lookup column from another site
  4. Navigate to your subsite list >> Click on List settings >> Click on the “Add from existing site columns” link
    cross site column lookup sharepoint 2013
  5. Choose the site column group in which you placed your site column, Select and Add the column, click on the “OK” button once done.
    sharepoint 2013 lookup column different site
  6. Now, In your subsite list, You have the site column ready!
    sharepoint lookup column from list on another site

Salaudeen Rajack

Salaudeen Rajack - Information Technology Expert with Two-decades of hands-on experience, specializing in SharePoint, PowerShell, Microsoft 365, and related products. He has held various positions including SharePoint Architect, Administrator, Developer and consultant, has helped many organizations to implement and optimize SharePoint solutions. Known for his deep technical expertise, He's passionate about sharing the knowledge and insights to help others, through the real-world articles!

7 thoughts on “How to Create a Cross-Site Lookup Site Column in SharePoint 2013?

  • Great and many thanks Salaudeen.
    But you forget to mantion first step, to create list called Expertise in root site!

    Thanks again it helped me big time 🙂

    Zoran

    Reply
  • We are using a hosted Sharepoint 2016 service. In the root site, I followed the above directions but have no visibility into any of the sub-site collection lists. What am I doing wrong?

    Reply
  • I did the same in SharePoint Online, but does not work.
    Any idea how to fix this ?

    Reply
  • This column current site, to another site is not see…

    Reply
  • Just a note that this solution works in SharePoint, but the lookup column does not show us in PowerApps.

    Reply
  • Do you know if this works if the list with the column you want to reference is not at the root of the SharePoint site but in an other sub-site?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Only if the Site that has the column is a parent of the Site you want to use the Site Column in.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *