# How to change the type from Text to Coded_text?

**Category:** [Archetype Designer](https://discourse.openehr.org/c/archetype-designer/30)
**Created:** 2024-09-10 06:10 UTC
**Views:** 45
**Replies:** 2
**URL:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/how-to-change-the-type-from-text-to-coded-text/5686

---

## Post #1 by @linforest

As a modelling exercise, when trying to create the elements "*Symptom name*" and "*Symptom code*" in the health checkup report template, I want to use the data point "*Symptom/Sign name*" in the [openEHR-EHR-OBSERVATION.symptom_sign.v0](https://ckm.openehr.org/ckm/archetypes/1013.1.4802).  But our national specification (based on HL7 CDA) for the health checkup report requires that both the name and code of a Symptom are mandatory.  Therefore, how to change its type from **Text** to **Coded_text**?

BTW,  the data point "*Symptom/Sign name*" has an advice:
```
 Symptom name should be coded with a terminology, where possible.
```

![image|632x211](upload://6bEV29LjuLKT7P5jwvxzQ92Qspm.png)

Thanks in advance.

---

## Post #2 by @siljelb

This is done in the template, by adding an external value set to the element.

---

## Post #3 by @linforest

Thanks, @siljelb.

---


**Canonical:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/how-to-change-the-type-from-text-to-coded-text/5686
**Original content:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/how-to-change-the-type-from-text-to-coded-text/5686