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How to Configure SharePoint List Times for Different Time Zones
Question details
The user wants to display SharePoint list item and event times according to each individual viewer's local time zone instead of the default site time zone.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing list events and schedules across global teams distributed in various geographical regions.
- Observed behavior
- SharePoint list views default to using the site's overarching regional settings, failing to automatically convert and display event times based on the viewing user's specific location.
Verify your current SharePoint site's default regional settings and confirm you have the necessary permissions to customize list forms using Microsoft Power Apps or create new list columns.
Customize the List View Using Power Apps
Use Microsoft Power Apps to customize your SharePoint list form so it dynamically calculates and displays the local time for each user.
Because standard SharePoint lists rely on the site's regional settings, integrating Power Apps allows you to override the default display behavior. By leveraging Power Fx formulas, you can detect the current user's local settings and adjust the time offsets accordingly.
Navigate to your SharePoint list, click on 'Integrate' in the top command bar, select 'Power Apps', and then click 'Customize forms'.
Once the Power Apps studio opens, locate and select the data card corresponding to the date or time field you wish to convert.
Unlock the data card properties and use the TimeZoneOffset function combined with the User() function in Power Fx to calculate the local time display for the active user.
Click 'File', select 'Save', and then click 'Publish to SharePoint' to make the customized form live for all users accessing the list.
Create Custom Calculated Columns for Specific Regions
Add calculated columns to your list that manually adjust the base time by specific hourly offsets for different global teams.
Adjust Personal Account Region Settings
Users can update their personal Microsoft 365 profile settings, which can influence how personalized web parts display date and time data.
Boost Global Team Collaboration with WPS Office
While managing complex lists and time zones in SharePoint can require technical workarounds, collaborating on actual documents shouldn't be difficult. WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative for your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs, making it easier for global teams to work together seamlessly across different time zones.
- 1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite for your preferred operating system.
- 2. Enable Cloud Collaboration: Sign in to activate WPS Cloud, allowing you to store, share, and track document changes effortlessly.
- 3. Collaborate Across Regions: Invite international team members to edit documents in real-time, removing the friction of manual timezone tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't SharePoint automatically convert list times to my local time zone?
SharePoint list views are primarily governed by the site's regional settings configured by the site administrator. This ensures a consistent baseline time for records but means individual users view the same default time format unless custom solutions like Power Apps are applied.
Can a SharePoint site administrator change the default time zone for everyone?
Yes. A site owner with appropriate permissions can navigate to the gear icon, select 'Site information', click 'View all site settings', and then go to 'Regional settings'. Changing the time zone here updates the default display times for all users viewing that specific site.
Does exporting a SharePoint list to Excel preserve the site time zone?
When you export a SharePoint list to Excel, the date and time values are often exported as raw data based on UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) or the site's default settings. You may need to use Excel formulas or Power Query to format and convert these times to your local regional time upon opening the file.
