Fix SharePoint Multiline Text Not Wrapping in Chrome or Edge
Question details
Users need to resolve an issue where multiline text fields in SharePoint forms do not wrap text properly when viewed in modern browsers.
- Product
- SharePoint Server 2013 / InfoPath
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing or filling out InfoPath-customized SharePoint forms in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
- Observed behavior
- Multiline text fields wrap correctly in Internet Explorer but fail to wrap in Chrome or Edge, causing text to extend off-screen continuously.
Verify whether your SharePoint list is using a default, automatically generated form or a custom InfoPath form, as this browser-compatibility issue primarily affects legacy InfoPath customizations.
Use Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge
Since InfoPath forms were designed for legacy rendering engines, running the SharePoint site in IE mode within Edge can temporarily resolve the text wrapping problem.
This is considered a compatibility workaround rather than a true fix. It allows users to continue operating legacy SharePoint 2013 forms seamlessly without requiring immediate development resources to rebuild the form.
Open Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner, and select 'Settings'.
Navigate to 'Default browser' on the left sidebar. Under 'Internet Explorer compatibility', find 'Allow sites to be loaded in Internet Explorer mode (IE mode)' and set the dropdown to 'Allow'.
Restart your browser, navigate to your SharePoint form, right-click the browser tab, and select 'Reload tab in Internet Explorer mode'. The multiline text should now wrap correctly.
Test Default Forms and Redesign InfoPath Customizations
Determine if the customization is the root cause and transition away from unsupported legacy forms to modern web standards.
Switch to WPS Office for a Modern, Compatible Experience
While legacy enterprise tools like InfoPath require complex browser workarounds, your daily document management should be seamless. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring your text formatting and document layouts render perfectly across all modern devices.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office to instantly open, edit, and perfectly format your existing Microsoft Office files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does InfoPath text wrapping fail specifically in Chrome and Edge?
InfoPath is a legacy Microsoft product optimized for older browser rendering engines like Internet Explorer. Modern browsers like Chrome and Edge process CSS and HTML structures differently, leading to compatibility issues where custom InfoPath form layouts fail to constrain multiline text.
Can changing between plain text and rich text fix the SharePoint wrapping issue?
Sometimes. Changing the multiline text field settings in SharePoint from 'Plain text' to 'Rich text' or 'Enhanced rich text' can occasionally force modern browsers to render the wrapping correctly, though results vary heavily depending on your specific InfoPath layout.
Is Microsoft InfoPath still supported for new forms?
No, Microsoft has discontinued InfoPath and mainstream support has ended. It is highly recommended to migrate any custom forms to modern alternatives like Microsoft Power Apps for better security, features, and cross-browser compatibility.
