Fix Microsoft Lists Opening Items in a New Tab Instead of Flyout
Question details
Users need to stop Microsoft Lists from opening items in a separate SharePoint editing tab so they can use the standard modern edit card or flyout interface.
- Product
- Microsoft Lists
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Clicking to view, add, or edit an item within Microsoft Lists via Microsoft Teams or SharePoint Online.
- Observed behavior
- The list item opens in a separate browser tab using the classic list-item form instead of displaying the expected modern edit card or side flyout.
Verify whether this issue is isolated to a single SharePoint list or affecting multiple users across different lists in your organization.
Force the Modern List Experience in Advanced Settings
Although Microsoft runs classic and modern forms in parallel and switching can be unpredictable, explicitly setting your list to the modern experience is the recommended first step.
Microsoft Lists occasionally defaults back to the classic form interface due to an ongoing known issue. Selecting the modern experience as the default does not always permanently prevent the classic form from appearing, but it is the primary setting to check.
Navigate to your Microsoft List in SharePoint. Click on the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner and select 'List settings'.
Under the General Settings column, click on 'Advanced settings'.
Scroll down to the 'List experience' section at the bottom of the page. Select the 'New experience' radio button instead of 'Default experience' or 'Classic experience'.
Click 'OK' to save your settings, then refresh your list and try clicking an item to see if the flyout card appears.
Identify the Scope for Microsoft Support
Since there is currently no reliable fix for this behavior, documenting the scope of the issue will help escalate the problem to Microsoft Support.
Work Seamlessly with WPS Office
Dealing with unpredictable interface glitches in Microsoft products can disrupt your workflow. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative for managing all your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without the hassle.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer. The lightweight package installs quickly without consuming excessive system resources.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Drag and drop your existing Microsoft Office files (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) directly into WPS Office to continue working seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Microsoft Lists items opening in a new tab instead of a pop-up?
This happens when Microsoft Lists reverts to the 'classic' list-item form instead of the 'modern' form. Microsoft currently runs both interfaces in parallel, and an ongoing known issue can cause lists to switch between them unpredictably.
Does setting the list to 'New experience' permanently fix the issue?
Unfortunately, no. While selecting 'New experience' in the Advanced Settings is the best workaround, it does not always prevent the classic form from loading due to backend syncing issues on Microsoft's end.
Is this new tab issue specific to Microsoft Teams?
No, this behavior can occur in both Microsoft Teams and SharePoint Online, as both platforms pull from the same underlying SharePoint list architecture.
How can I report this bug to Microsoft?
You can report the issue through the Microsoft 365 admin center. Before reporting, confirm if the issue affects multiple users (e.g., more than five) and whether it is isolated to a specific SharePoint list to help support diagnose the problem faster.
