What are the difference between using managed meta-data vs choice columns?

Sarah Brooks 20 Reputation points
2024-03-21T17:59:23.5+00:00

Hi all,

I'm looking to use Microsoft list as a tracking list for products and I have some columns that have choices and I wonder if I should use choices or managed metadata and what are the benefits or drawbacks of using one vs the other?

Microsoft 365 and Office | SharePoint | For business | Windows
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  1. Azar 29,520 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2024-03-21T18:12:03.1+00:00

    Hey there SB12345

    Thats a good question and thanks for using QandA platform

    Choice columns are straightforward to set up and manage, allowing you to define a list of predefined values for users to select from. They work well for scenarios where the set of possible values is limited and doesn't require a hierarchical structure.

    On the other hand, managed metadata columns offer more flexibility and scalability. They allow you to create a hierarchical structure of terms and organize them into term sets and term groups. This provides advanced features such as cascading dropdowns, synonyms, and enterprise keywords, making it suitable for scenarios where the data classification and organization requirements are complex and may evolve over time.

    The benefits of managed metadata columns include hierarchical organization, centralized management through the managed metadata service, reusability of terms across multiple lists and sites, and support for advanced features. However, they can be more complex to set up and require careful planning to design the metadata structure effectively.

    In contrast, choice columns are simpler to manage but lack the advanced features and scalability of managed metadata columns.

    If this helps kindly accept the answer thanks much.

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