SharePoint Document Issues

How to Customize the Header Color in a SharePoint List View

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to change the background color of the header in a modern SharePoint list view.

How to Customize the Header Color in a SharePoint List View

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing the visual appearance and branding of a modern SharePoint list.
Observed behavior: SharePoint Online does not provide a standard UI settings toggle to directly change the background color of a modern list-view header.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary permissions (Edit or Full Control) to modify list views and apply view formatting on your SharePoint site.

Solution 1Recommended

Use JSON Formatting to Customize the List Header

Since there is no built-in UI toggle, applying a custom JSON script is the supported method to style the list view header.

SharePoint Online's modern experience allows users to customize how lists are displayed by using view formatting. By inserting specific JSON code, you can override the default styles and apply custom background colors to your list headers.

Access View Formatting

Navigate to your SharePoint list. In the top right corner, click on the view dropdown menu (which displays the name of your current view) and select 'Format current view'.

Switch to Advanced Mode

In the formatting pane that appears on the right side of the screen, click on the 'Advanced mode' link at the bottom.

Apply JSON Code

Paste your custom JSON code into the editor. The JSON should target the 'headerFormatter' properties to define the background color. Once pasted, click 'Save' to apply the new color to your list header.

Use JSON Formatting to Customize the List Header

Finding JSON Snippets: If you are unfamiliar with JSON, you can find pre-built templates and community discussions on customizing list headers on the Microsoft Tech Community forum or the Microsoft 365 GitHub repository.

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1. Export List Data: Export your SharePoint list data as an Excel or CSV file to your local device.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the SharePoint list header color without using JSON code?

Currently, the modern SharePoint experience does not offer a native point-and-click interface for changing the header background color. Using JSON formatting is the only supported method.

Will applying JSON formatting alter my SharePoint list data?

No, JSON formatting only changes the visual presentation (CSS-like styling) of the list data and headers. The underlying list structure, data, and user permissions remain completely secure and unchanged.

Where can I get help if my SharePoint JSON code doesn't work?

If your header isn't displaying correctly, verify your code syntax. You can also ask for troubleshooting help in the Microsoft Tech Community's SharePoint forum, where experts frequently share updated JSON formatting recommendations.

Document & File Issues