Formatting Issues

How to Change the Font Color of a SharePoint Lookup Column

Elise Williams Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to change the display text color of a lookup column in SharePoint without losing its link behavior.

How to Change the Font Color of a SharePoint Lookup Column

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing a SharePoint list theme where default blue lookup links clash with the design and are difficult to read.
Observed behavior: SharePoint lookup values default to blue hyperlinks, which can cause readability issues depending on the active site theme.

Before you start

Ensure you have Edit or List Owner permissions for the SharePoint list, as you will need access to the list settings to apply custom column formatting.

Solution 1Recommended

Use JSON Column Formatting to Override the Default Color

You can apply a custom JSON script within the column settings to redefine the display color of the lookup values.

SharePoint allows advanced customization of column layouts using JSON formatting. By redefining the style properties of the column, you can replace the default blue link color with any HEX color code that fits your theme.

Navigate to List Settings

Open your SharePoint list, click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner, and select 'List settings'.

Select the Lookup Column

Scroll down the settings page to the 'Columns' section and click on the specific lookup column you want to modify.

Edit Column Formatting

Locate the 'Column formatting' section on the column properties page and click the 'Edit' button.

Apply the JSON Code

Paste the following JSON schema into the formatting box: { "$schema": "https://developer.microsoft.com/json-schemas/sp/v2/column-formatting.schema.json", "elmType": "div", "txtContent": "@currentField.lookupValue", "style": { "color": "#000000" } }.

Customize and Save

Replace the '#000000' hex value with your preferred color code. Click 'Save' to apply the formatting, then return to the list to test that the lookup value still functions correctly.

Use JSON Column Formatting to Override the Default Color

Link Functionality: If the text no longer functions as a clickable link after applying a basic 'div' element, you may need to modify the JSON to use an 'a' (anchor) element and dynamically reference the lookup ID for the URL.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my lookup column stop working as a link after applying JSON?

If you use a basic 'div' element in your JSON formatting without specifying an 'href' attribute, it may override the default anchor tag behavior. To preserve the link, use an 'a' (anchor) elmType and dynamically construct the URL using the '@currentField.lookupId' property.

Do I need administrator rights to format a SharePoint column?

You do not need full site administrator rights, but you must have at least Edit or Design permissions on the specific SharePoint list to access the list settings and apply custom JSON formatting.

Can I use standard color names instead of HEX codes in SharePoint JSON?

Yes, standard CSS color names (like 'red', 'blue', or 'black') are supported in the JSON style attributes. However, using HEX codes (e.g., '#000000') is highly recommended to ensure precise color matching with your site's specific design theme.

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