Displaying Long Text Area (32768) fields in Related Lists and List Views
Salesforce does not currently allow Long Text Area fields to be added to certain views such as Related Lists and List Views. However, there is a workaround to this solution which involves:
1 Custom Field
1 Workflow Rule
1 Workflow Field Update
Step 1: Create a custom field with the data type "Text Area(255)" on the same object as your Long Text Area field. This field will be used to capture a summarized version of your Long Text Area field.
Step 2: Create a workflow rule with the following criteria:
Evaluation Criteria: "Evaluate the rule when a record is created, and every time it’s edited"
Rule Criteria: OR( ISNEW(), ISCHANGED( [Long Text Area field] ) )
The workflow rule is triggered every time there is a change in value of the Long Text Area field.
Step 3: Create a workflow field update with the following details:
Field to Update: [Custom Field from Step 1]
Text Options: Use a formula to set the new value
Formula: [Custom Field from Step 1]
The workflow action that takes place updates the Custom field with the first 255 characters of the Long Text Area field.
Step 4: Add the Custom field to Related List, List View, Search Layouts, etc.
Hopefully you find this Salesforce hack useful. Obviously there are limitations to the solution with it only being able to display up to 255 characters and having to manage 2 fields separately.