When it comes to making changes to the field type of a custom field, a crucial consideration emerges: the potential loss of stored data. While this might raise concerns, understanding the dynamics of these changes can help mitigate data loss risks.
In instances where the new field type remains closely aligned with the old one, data preservation is more likely. For example, transitioning from an Integer to a Decimal field type typically retains existing data. This smoother migration ensures that the valuable information you’ve accumulated remains intact and accessible.
However, not all changes guarantee the same outcome. If you opt to shift a List/Record field type to Free-form text, data preservation becomes less assured. This alteration could result in the loss of data, emphasizing the importance of strategic decisions when adapting custom field types.
In such scenarios, it’s advisable to create a backup along with a unique ID.