SharePoint Document Issues

How to Create Responsive SharePoint Web Parts with Dependent Selections

Amos Gikunda Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to set up a SharePoint page where a primary selection filters secondary choices to display related content without creating separate pages for every combination.

How to Create Responsive SharePoint Web Parts with Dependent Selections

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Designing a dynamic SharePoint page that utilizes cascading choices or dependent selections to filter related list data on the fly.
Observed behavior: Looking for the best architectural approach to link SharePoint lists, display filtered content based on user selections, and maintain a responsive layout on a single page.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Member permissions to create lists, edit modern SharePoint pages, and configure web part connections.

Solution 1Recommended

Use List Web Parts and Dynamic Filtering

The most straightforward native method is leveraging linked SharePoint lists and dynamic web part connections to display dynamically filtered content on a modern page.

By utilizing modern SharePoint features, you can connect two list web parts. When a user selects an item in the primary list, the secondary list automatically filters its view to show only related items.

Create the required SharePoint lists

Create a primary list for your main categories and a secondary list for related content. In the secondary list, add a 'Lookup' column that connects back to the primary list.

Add web parts to a modern page

Edit your modern SharePoint page. Click the '+' icon to add two 'List' web parts—one for your primary list and one for the secondary list.

Configure dynamic filtering

Select the secondary list web part and click 'Edit web part'. In the properties pane, turn on 'Dynamic filtering'. Select the column you want to filter by, choose the primary list as the source, and select the corresponding source column.

Publish and test

Click 'Republish' to save the page changes. Select an item in the primary list web part and verify that the secondary list updates to show only the dependent selections.

Use List Web Parts and Dynamic Filtering

Modern Experience Only: Dynamic filtering is built into the modern SharePoint page experience and eliminates the need for complex custom code.

Solution 2

Integrate Power Apps for Advanced Cascading Choices

For complex forms, multi-level cascading selections, or highly customized behavior, integrating a Power Apps form offers advanced flexibility.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect more than two web parts together using dynamic filtering?

Yes, dynamic filtering allows you to connect multiple list or document library web parts on the same page, provided they share related lookup columns.

Why isn't the dynamic filtering option appearing in my web part properties?

Dynamic filtering requires both lists to be on the same modern SharePoint page and must share a common data column type, such as a Lookup or Choice column.

Does dynamic filtering work on classic SharePoint pages?

No, dynamic filtering is a feature exclusive to modern SharePoint pages. Classic pages require using classic connected web parts via the old web part settings.

How do I create a lookup column for my secondary list?

Go to your secondary List Settings, click 'Create Column', choose 'Lookup' as the data type, and select the primary list as the source for the information.

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