# Set parameter by name is not working for "type" any help out there? **URL:** \ **Category:** Revit\ **Created:** [November 28, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/set-parameter-by-name-is-not-working-for-type-any-help-out-there/16907 "2017-11-28T15:25:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![a.corriveau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@a.corriveau](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/a.corriveau)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/set-parameter-by-name-is-not-working-for-type-any-help-out-there/16907/1 "2017-11-28T15:25:37Z")
I have only been using dynamo for about 3 weeks on and off. I am having a hard time changing the family type from an excel file read. Can anyone see what I am doing wrong. Thanks in advance for any help ![Element Set Parameter by Name Error](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/dynamobim/original/3X/f/a/faf9440f9b4a63157b77ee41e430b09adea5f7bc.png) ---
**Author:** ![Nick\_Boyts](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.dynamobim.com/nick_boyts/32/76313_2.png) [@Nick\_Boyts](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/Nick_Boyts)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/set-parameter-by-name-is-not-working-for-type-any-help-out-there/16907/2 "2017-11-28T15:29:18Z")
The error explains the problem. “The parameter’s storage type is not a string.” I assume your input is the family type name. It needs to be the actual family type object. ---
**Author:** ![MJB-online](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.dynamobim.com/mjb-online/32/24884_2.png) [@MJB-online](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/MJB-online)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/set-parameter-by-name-is-not-working-for-type-any-help-out-there/16907/3 "2017-11-28T15:48:09Z")
Hi @a.corriveau, I think @Nick_Boyts is right. You could try to place a “ **FamilyType.ByName** ” node between the “ **List.GetItemAtIndex** ” and “ **Element.SetParameterByName** ” nodes. Kind regards, Mark ---
**Author:** ![PauLtus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.dynamobim.com/paultus/32/48502_2.png) [@PauLtus](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/PauLtus)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 7:47am UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/set-parameter-by-name-is-not-working-for-type-any-help-out-there/16907/4 "2017-11-29T07:47:15Z")
I think this might be easier to solve if you were to show what exactly you’re sending into element input. Things I notice: you’re sending a list of strings into value. I don’t think that works. Considering that and the fact your input for the parametername is “Type”: are you trying to change-the-name-of/create family types with that, because you can’t do that via Element.SetParametByName. In fact that’s something I’ve been trying to pull off for a couple of days now but haven’t managed yet. ---
**Author:** ![MJB-online](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.dynamobim.com/mjb-online/32/24884_2.png) [@MJB-online](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/MJB-online)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 9:18am UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/set-parameter-by-name-is-not-working-for-type-any-help-out-there/16907/5 "2017-11-29T09:18:03Z")
Hi @PauLtus, ![SetType_GM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/dynamobim/original/3X/d/a/daec704e66ca647e52efc1ffcdcafc02f44ae52f.png) It is possible to set the Type parameter in this way, but you have to change the strings into FamilyTypes, as @Nick_Boyts mentioned above. Kind regards, Mark ---
**Author:** ![PauLtus](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/user_avatar/forum.dynamobim.com/paultus/32/48502_2.png) [@PauLtus](https://forum.dynamobim.com/u/PauLtus)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 10:31am UTC](https://forum.dynamobim.com/t/set-parameter-by-name-is-not-working-for-type-any-help-out-there/16907/6 "2017-11-29T10:31:53Z")
I would think so (although I wasn’t sure I’m not surprised you can give a string input into value), but I’m wondering what @Nick_Boyts is trying to achieve with it most of all. As far as I know you can’t change the type name with that.