The Question of the Day from Stump the Panel came in regarding lookup lists in SharePoint:

“We are undergoing a re-organization which will result in new org structure, defined by Divisions and Departments. Our HR area is asking about using lists and look-up columns to store the new org structure. No problems there.

But, I would like that list to be able to be consumed by columns across the entire site collection. Is this something that can be done (or can you suggest an alternate solution). At first glance, it appears the look-up column will only expose lists on the site the column is being created on.” — STP
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When you create the list, you will consume, in the root web of the site collection and after that a site column with the information type “Lookup” at the same level, you can use this site column in the root web and all other webs down the hierarchy.

Regards,

Olaf

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This is a great question! Olaf is right on. If you create the list at the top of your site heirarchy then create a site lookup column, Site Actions > Galleries > Site Column at the same level, (using the data from the list) then every site below the top will have that column available for use. To pull it into a list under List Setting > Choose from Existing Site Columns.

IMO these kind of columns (department lists, manager lists, services lists) should be created as lookup columns at deployment, as database normalization. Bravo, good thinking!

Kerri

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Thanks for your help Olaf and Kerri. View the original question: Question about look-up column and its associated list on Stump the Panel