SharePoint Document Issues

Fix SharePoint JSON Hyperlink Icon Not Opening Links

Rana Garcia Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to open links by clicking the icon in a JSON-formatted hyperlink column in a SharePoint list.

How to Fix SharePoint JSON Hyperlink Icon Not Opening Links

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Interacting with a SharePoint list hyperlink column after a new list interface update.
Observed behavior: Clicking the whitespace beside the icon successfully opens the link, but clicking the actual icon does nothing.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary permissions (Edit or Design) to modify the column formatting in your SharePoint list.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust JSON Formatting to Wrap the Icon

Modify the JSON code so that the anchor tag properly wraps the icon element, ensuring the clickable area covers the icon itself.

Interface updates can change how SharePoint renders padding and nested elements. Updating your JSON configuration ensures the hyperlink action directly targets the icon element rather than just the surrounding cell boundaries.

Open column formatting

Navigate to your SharePoint list, click the column header for your hyperlink, select 'Column settings', and choose 'Format this column'.

Edit the JSON code

Locate the JSON code defining the hyperlink. Ensure the 'a' (anchor) element is the parent of the 'span' or 'div' containing the 'iconName' attribute.

Save and test

Click 'Save' at the bottom of the formatting pane, then test clicking the icon directly to see if it redirects properly.

Syntax check: Verify that your JSON structure correctly defines 'customRowAction' or 'defaultHoverField' if you are using advanced hover behaviors.

Solution 2

Test in Classic SharePoint Experience

Switch between the modern and classic SharePoint list interfaces to determine if the issue is strictly tied to the recent UI update.

Solution 3

Contact Microsoft 365 Support

If the issue stems from an unresolvable SharePoint UI bug, escalate it to Microsoft support via your IT administrator.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my SharePoint JSON formatting break after an update?

Microsoft frequently updates the SharePoint modern interface. These updates can sometimes alter how HTML elements and CSS within JSON column formatting are rendered, causing elements like icons or buttons to lose their clickable areas.

Can I revert to the old SharePoint list interface permanently?

Administrators can set the default list experience to 'Classic' in the list settings under 'Advanced settings', but Microsoft recommends using the modern experience as classic views receive fewer updates and may eventually be deprecated.

Do I need admin rights to edit SharePoint column JSON?

You need at least 'Edit' or 'Design' permissions on the list to modify column formatting. If you only have 'Read' access, you cannot change the JSON code and will need to contact a site owner.

Document & File Issues