SharePoint Online: Rename a Column in List using PowerShell

When we create a new list or library in SharePoint/SharePoint Online, "Title" column gets created automatically. SharePoint doesn't allow us to delete this title column. However, we can change the "title" column name to something relevant such as "Project Name" in "Projects" List.

How to Rename a List Column in SharePoint Online?
Here is how to rename a List column in SharePoint Online:

• Navigate to your target SharePoint online list >> Go to List settings page.
• Pick any column such as "Title" from "Columns" section. You'll get Edit Column page.
• Now you can rename the field at "Column Name" and Hit "OK" button to save your changes.
  

PowerShell to Rename SharePoint Online List Column:
Here is the PowerShell to change the field title in SharePoint Online.

#Load SharePoint CSOM Assemblies
Add-Type -Path "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\16\ISAPI\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.dll"
Add-Type -Path "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\16\ISAPI\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.Runtime.dll"

Function Rename-ListColumn()
{
  param
    (
        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [string] $SiteURL,
        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [string] $ListName,
        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [string] $ColumnName,
        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [String[]] $NewName
    )

    Try {
        $Cred= Get-Credential
        $Credentials = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.SharePointOnlineCredentials($Cred.Username, $Cred.Password)

        #Setup the context
        $Ctx = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ClientContext($SiteURL)
        $Ctx.Credentials = $Credentials
        
        #Get the List
        $List = $Ctx.Web.Lists.GetByTitle($ListName)
        $Ctx.Load($List)
        $Ctx.ExecuteQuery()

        #Get the column to rename
        $Field = $List.Fields.GetByInternalNameOrTitle($ColumnName)
        $Field.Title = $NewName
        $Field.Update()
        $Ctx.ExecuteQuery()
            
        Write-Host "Column Name Changed successfully!" -ForegroundColor Green

    }
    Catch {
        write-host -f Red "Error Renaming Column!" $_.Exception.Message
    } 
}

#Parameters
$SiteURL="https://crescent.sharepoint.com"
$ListName="Projects"
$ColumnName="Titles"
$NewName="Project Title"

#Call the function to rename column
Rename-ListColumn -SiteURL $SiteURL -ListName $ListName -ColumnName $ColumnName -NewName $NewName

PnP PowerShell to Update Field Title and Description in SharePoint Online:

#Config Variables
$SiteURL = "https://crescenttech.sharepoint.com"
$ListName = "Team Projects"
$FieldName= "ProjectStatus" #Internal Name

#Get Credentials to connect
$Cred = Get-Credential

Try {
    #Connect to PNP Online
    Connect-PnPOnline -Url $SiteURL -Credentials $Cred
    
    #Set Field Title and Description
    Set-PnPField -List $ListName -Identity $FieldName -Values @{Title="Status";Description="Status of the Project"} -ErrorAction Stop
    Write-host -f Green "Title and Description Updated for Field '$FieldName'"
}
catch {
    write-host "Error: $($_.Exception.Message)" -foregroundcolor Red
}

Renaming columns from SharePoint UI and programmatically using PowerShell and C# is explained in my another articles:

• How to Rename a Column in SharePoint List?
• Rename SharePoint List / Site Columns Programmatically using PowerShell and C#