How to set internal names of new SharePoint fields with PowerShell? - powershell

Question

I'm trying to add a new field to a SharePoint list and set its internal name. I have both the static name and display name specified but I can't figure out why the internal name gets set as First_x0020_Name.
$web = Get-SPWeb 'https://server'
$list = $web.Lists['listName']
$newFieldXML = '<Field Type="Text" StaticName="FirstName" DisplayName="First Name"></Field>'
$list.Fields.AddFieldAsXml($newFieldXML)

Answer 1

This simply works for me-
XML should be of format:
$newFieldXML = '<Field Type="Text" Name="FirstName" StaticName="FirstName" DisplayName="First Name"></Field>'
In PowerShell use [Microsoft.SharePoint.SPAddFieldOptions]::AddFieldInternalNameHint as third parameter of AddFieldAsXml function
$spListFields = $spList.Fields.AddFieldAsXml($newFieldXML, $true, [Microsoft.SharePoint.SPAddFieldOptions]::AddFieldInternalNameHint)

Answer 2

It looks like AddFieldAsXml cannot be used to set the internal name
According to the article, if you want to use AddFieldAsXml to set the internal name you need to:
Define your CAML so that the Internal Name you want to use is
actually set as the Display Name
Create the field with the call to AddFieldAsXml
After the field is created, retrieve it using the internal name and set the Title property to the real Display Name you wanted it to
be in the first place
You need two additional steps: retrieve the field and set the internal name

Answer 3

Use:
$list.Fields.AddFieldAsXml($newFieldXML, $true,[Microsoft.SharePoint.SPAddFieldOptions]::AddFieldInternalNameHint)
instead of
$list.Fields.AddFieldAsXml($newFieldXML)
Refer this link

Answer 4

RESOLVED:
Please check below post for the Answer:
Set Field Internal Name For New Fields
Sample Code:
Please use [Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.AddFieldOptions]::AddFieldInternalNameHint
$fieldXml="<Field Type='Text' DisplayName='"+ $Field_DisplayName +"'
Required='"+$Field_Required+"' MaxLength='255'
StaticName='"+$Field_InternalName+"' Name='"+$Field_InternalName+"' />
$spoList.Fields.AddFieldAsXml($fieldXml,$true,[Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.AddFieldOptions]::AddFieldInternalNameHint)
$spoList.Update()
$clientContext.ExecuteQuery()

Answer 5

You can use this script to create fields with internal name and then update the display name.
$web = Get-SPWeb 'https://server'
$list = $web.Lists['listName']
$newFieldXML = '<Field Type="Text" StaticName="FirstName"
DisplayName="FirstName"></Field>'
$list.Fields.AddFieldAsXml($newFieldXML)
$fld = $list.Fields["FirstName"]
$fld.Title = "First Name"
$fld.Update();

Answer 6

You can't change the internalName of a field after his creation.
If you use XML to create field :
The internalName of field is set with the Attribute : "Name"
so your field XML defintion should be :
$newFieldXML = '<Field Type="Text" Name="FirstName" StaticName="FirstName" DisplayName="First Name"></Field>'