How to Display a SharePoint List Item ID in the Form Header
Question details
The user wants to display the automatically generated item ID at the top header of a SharePoint edit or view form.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing a SharePoint list edit or view form to make the Item ID highly visible to users.
- Observed behavior
- By default, standard SharePoint list settings do not place the item ID in the form header.
Ensure you have the necessary edit permissions for the SharePoint list and familiarize yourself with basic JSON formatting or Power Apps if you plan to customize the form.
Use JSON Formatting to Customize the Form Header
Apply JSON code to the form header to dynamically display the Item ID without needing a complete form redesign.
This is the most lightweight method to inject the Item ID directly into the header. It alters only the header layout without requiring a complex Power Apps integration.
Navigate to your SharePoint list and click on an existing item to open its view or edit form.
Click the 'Edit form' icon (usually a pencil or notebook icon) at the top right of the form panel, and select 'Configure layout'.
In the formatting pane, select 'Header' from the 'Apply formatting to' dropdown. Paste your custom JSON code that references the [$ID] field, then click 'Save'.
Customize the Form using Power Apps
Use Power Apps to completely redesign the form and place the Item ID exactly where you need it.
Display the ID Column in the Default List View
If form customization is not feasible, display the ID prominently in the list view instead.
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While SharePoint lists are part of the Microsoft ecosystem, for your daily document creation and editing, WPS Office offers a free, highly compatible, and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office. It seamlessly handles Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I show the ID column on the new item form?
No, the ID is generated only after a list item is successfully saved. It cannot be displayed on the 'New' form because the ID does not exist yet.
Why isn't the ID showing up in the 'Show or hide columns' menu by default?
The ID column is a hidden system column by default. You must explicitly select it in the view settings to make it visible in your list.
Does JSON header formatting affect the default list view?
No, modifying the form header layout using JSON only affects the item view and edit form panels. Your main grid list view remains completely unchanged.
Is Power Apps required to change the form header?
Not necessarily. While Power Apps offers extensive customization, you can use lightweight JSON formatting specifically for the header if you want to avoid a full form redesign.
