Deleting lookup and master-detail fields
Key Takeaway
Salesforce blocks the delete when something else depends on a lookup or master-detail field, and it keeps a deleted field and its data for a short time so you can restore them.
Lookup and master-detail fields are custom relationship fields that link records on one object to records on another object. A relationship field is a type of custom field, so lookup and master-detail fields follow the normal rules for deleting custom fields.
How to delete a lookup or master-detail field
To delete a custom field, you need both the "Customize Application" and "View All Data" permissions.
- Find out whether other fields reference the field, and which ones.
- From the object's management settings, go to "Fields".
- Click "Del" next to the field.
- Select the "Yes, I want to delete the custom field" checkbox.
- Click "Delete".