Permission & Access Issues

Fix SharePoint Lookup Column Not Showing Values for Some Users

Muhammad Talha Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to resolve an issue where a SharePoint or Microsoft Lists lookup column fails to load values for specific users.

Fix SharePoint Lookup Column Not Showing Values for Some Users

Product: SharePoint / Microsoft Lists
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Users with Editor access try to use or view a specific lookup column in a list, but the data fails to appear.
Observed behavior: The lookup column remains stuck on loading or displays blank values for certain users or groups, while other lookup columns function perfectly.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions on both the destination list and the source list where the lookup data originates before modifying user permissions or column settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Permissions on the Source List

Verify that the affected users have the correct permissions to view data in the source list that feeds the lookup column.

A lookup column requires users to have at least 'Read' access to the original source list. Even if they have 'Editor' access on the destination list, lacking access to the source data will prevent the column from loading.

Navigate to the Source List

Open your SharePoint site and navigate to the list where the lookup column pulls its data from.

Access List Settings

Click the Gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner and select 'List settings'.

Open Permissions

Under the 'Permissions and Management' section, click on 'Permissions for this list'.

Check User Permissions

Click 'Check Permissions' in the ribbon, enter the name of an affected user, and click 'Check Now'. Verify that they have at least Read permission. If not, grant them the appropriate access.

Permission Granted: Once Read access is granted to the source list, the lookup column should immediately begin populating values for those users.

Solution 2

Verify Group Types and Memberships

Conflicts in Microsoft 365 or Security group permissions can cause specific groups of users to lose access to lookup values.

Solution 3

Recreate the Lookup Column

If permissions are correct and only one specific lookup column is malfunctioning, the column itself might be corrupted and needs to be rebuilt.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a SharePoint lookup column work for some users but not others?

Lookup columns require users to have 'Read' access to the source list where the lookup data is stored. If certain users or groups lack permissions to that specific source list, the lookup values will remain blank or get stuck loading.

Can my browser cache cause SharePoint columns to get stuck loading?

Yes. Sometimes stale cached data or corrupted browser cookies can prevent SharePoint list scripts from rendering correctly. Clearing the browser cache or testing the list in an Incognito/Private window can often resolve localized loading issues.

Are there limits to how many lookup columns I can use in a SharePoint list?

Yes. SharePoint enforces a List View Threshold (typically 5,000 items) and limits the number of lookup, person/group, or workflow status columns in a single view (usually a maximum of 12). Exceeding these limits can cause loading failures for standard users.

Document & File Issues