Changing a light to a switch

I currently have a light fixture that is mounted on a wall that I turn on with a pull string. I am remodelling the room and am planning on putting in an overhead light. I would like to install a switch and remove the old drawstring light. This would prevent me from having to run additional wiring in order to get power to the room. I will need to run line from the new overhead light to the old light box, however if I can use the old light box that would be convenient.

Question: Is it possible to remove the old light and utilize the incoming wires for the switch? I am assuming that I could run the old light wires to the switch, however before I start want to know of any potential difficulties that I may encounter, as well as if it is even possible. Please let me know if you have any thoughts. Thanks.

 

In theory you can, however:

1: Would that light fixture be in a bad place to install a switch, IOW too high or away from the door?

2: Is it wired with somewhat modern grounded cable? If not, you cannot extend it

If the cable is good, but the old fixture location not suitable for a switch, I'd, if possible, move the cable to a suitable switch location, or run a switch loop to the original fixture box, or run the new fixture through the switch, usung the original light box as a junction box.

 

since the light had constant power. you can run a switch leg from that fixture to a switch box. wirenut fixture box black(hot) to white switch leg(down to switch box) black up to light fixture black. neutral in light box to fixture neutral. Mark white switch leg in switch box with black tape to identify white as hot.