Ability to convert the field type to another field type

give the ability to convert a field type to another field type for example, If I create fieldabc as a radio button, then later realize that I need fieldabc to be a check box list, as it is designed, I have to create a new field, manually populate the data into it, then delete the radio button field. It would be great if I could convert it and then show a mapping of the selections so that the current data is transferred with the creation.