SharePoint Document Issues

Fix Layout and Formatting Issues in SharePoint Lists New Look

Elise Williams Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are experiencing readability and functional issues with the redesigned SharePoint Lists interface, including truncated names, cluttered views, and broken custom formatting.

How to Fix Layout and Formatting Issues in SharePoint Lists New Look

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Navigating, viewing, and managing data in the newly updated SharePoint Lists interface.
Observed behavior: The new interface defaults to cluttered autofit heights, fails to retain Compact list preferences, and breaks existing JSON column formatting, grouped rows, and board layouts.

Before you start

Ensure you have Edit or Full Control permissions for the SharePoint site, as troubleshooting JSON formatting and modifying list views requires sufficient access rights.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Compact List View to Improve Readability

Manually switching to the Compact list view reduces whitespace, tightens row spacing, and helps prevent column names from being truncated.

While the new default interface prioritizes larger touch targets and autofit heights, many users find it cluttered for large datasets. Using the Compact layout temporarily resolves visual clutter.

Open your SharePoint List

Navigate to your SharePoint site and open the list that is experiencing layout issues in your web browser.

Access View Options

Click on the 'View options' dropdown menu located in the top right command bar (this usually displays the name of your current view, such as 'All Items').

Select Compact List

Choose 'Compact list' from the dropdown menu to immediately reduce row height and visual clutter.

Use Compact List View to Improve Readability

Setting Persistence: Currently, SharePoint may not save Compact list as the default view. You may need to reapply this setting when reopening the list.

Solution 2

Troubleshoot Custom JSON Formatting

Audit and update your custom JSON code to ensure compatibility with the new layout engine Microsoft introduced in the redesign.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage List Data Securely with WPS Spreadsheet

If SharePoint Lists and Microsoft 365 updates are causing workflow disruptions or unwanted UI changes, consider managing your structured data using WPS Spreadsheet. It provides a stable, familiar interface without sudden forced redesigns, making it an excellent alternative for reliable data tracking and formatting.

1. Export SharePoint Data: In your SharePoint List, click 'Export' and choose 'Export to Excel' to download your data as an .iqy or .csv file.
2. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
3. Manage Data Uninterrupted: Open the exported file in WPS Spreadsheet to organize, format, and analyze your data without dealing with unpredictable web UI updates.

Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) and CSV formatsStable, familiar UI that avoids unexpected layout and formatting changesLightweight application with high performance for managing large datasetsCompletely free to use with advanced sorting, filtering, and custom formatting tools

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my SharePoint List view suddenly cluttered and hard to read?

Microsoft recently updated the SharePoint Lists interface. The new default 'Autofit Height' setting and the addition of new UI icons can make horizontal views feel cluttered and cause column headers to truncate.

How do I make the Compact list view the default setting?

Currently, the redesigned interface does not offer a native way to set 'Compact list' as the permanent default. Users must manually select it from the View options menu each time they navigate to the list.

Why did my custom grouped rows stop working after the SharePoint update?

The recent update altered the underlying DOM structure of SharePoint Lists. If you used custom JSON formatting for grouped rows or board layouts, you may need to revise your code to align with the new structural requirements.

Is there a way to revert back to the previous SharePoint Lists layout?

Microsoft has not provided a simple site-wide toggle to revert to the immediate previous look. However, administrators can sometimes force the classic experience through Advanced Settings, though this removes many modern features.

Document & File Issues