# How to change family host from Import Instance to a linked Column **URL:** \ **Category:** Revit\ **Created:** [February 14, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/how-to-change-family-host-from-import-instance-to-a-linked-column/86145 "2023-02-14T17:36:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![keknoian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@keknoian](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/keknoian)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 5:36pm UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/how-to-change-family-host-from-import-instance-to-a-linked-column/86145/1 "2023-02-14T17:36:37Z")
I am looking to change the host of families that I have placed in dynamo from an Imported instance that I eventually delete to the linked column that the family was placed on. I have the location set, I am just trying to change the host. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/dynamobim/original/3X/f/9/f90cc81bd67119cf1b3383ba4705c1d350933653.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![pete.heibel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.dynamobim.com/pete.heibel/32/152649_2.png) [@pete.heibel](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/pete.heibel)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/how-to-change-family-host-from-import-instance-to-a-linked-column/86145/2 "2023-02-14T21:21:17Z")
Hi @keknoian, for the _Face_ input, try feeding in a **single** surface rather than a list of surfaces. For placing a column, I suggest using the _Select Face_ node to pick something from your Revit model or filtering for a floor element’s top surface. It looks like you are currently feeding the _Face_ input a **list** of geometric faces from the imported geometry. ---
**Author:** ![keknoian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@keknoian](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/keknoian)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2023, 9:36pm UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/how-to-change-family-host-from-import-instance-to-a-linked-column/86145/3 "2023-02-14T21:36:18Z")
That is correct, I have a list of surfaces because I need multiple families to be placed on multiple columns, so they are all the correct surface. My issue comes because you cannot use the face of a linked element as the host on the familyinstance.byface, so I was wondering if there was a way to set it after placement ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/dynamobim/original/3X/1/0/1038685b7f09629d64b89bfe6c49669cabaa0759.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![pete.heibel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.dynamobim.com/pete.heibel/32/152649_2.png) [@pete.heibel](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/pete.heibel)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/how-to-change-family-host-from-import-instance-to-a-linked-column/86145/4 "2023-02-15T18:03:11Z")
Setting the work plane of an already placed element was discussed [here](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/change-element-work-plane-parameter/52327/5), but it doesn’t look like a great solution was found. After [some quick research](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/set-work-plane/8775/13), it appears to be possible through the Revit API using Python, but I haven’t come across any out of the box nodes. It may be easier to specify the correct host to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![keknoian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@keknoian](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/keknoian)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/how-to-change-family-host-from-import-instance-to-a-linked-column/86145/5 "2023-02-15T21:02:01Z")
The issue is you cannot use a linked element as a host or you get this error. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/dynamobim/original/3X/5/e/5edc43be831d77dd8237bd7060c4c9308765c40b.png) ---
**Author:** ![keknoian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@keknoian](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/keknoian)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2023, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/how-to-change-family-host-from-import-instance-to-a-linked-column/86145/6 "2023-03-23T13:23:02Z")
If you use the LinkElement.OfCategory node, and get your faces from that, you can use those surfaces when placing a family ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/dynamobim/original/3X/6/3/63296a86533de3ed6bc3896f13523b1588db6a4c.png)