SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix SharePoint Grid View Freezes When Copying Rows

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need a solution for browser freezes that occur when copying complete rows or more than seven cells in SharePoint Online Grid view.

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Copying multiple cells or complete rows in a SharePoint Online list using Grid view.
Observed behavior: The browser completely freezes when copying complete rows or more than seven cells simultaneously, particularly on newly created SharePoint sites.

Before you start

Verify if you have Microsoft 365 global administrator permissions, as you may need them to submit a detailed support ticket. Ensure your list data is saved properly before testing to avoid data loss during a browser freeze.

Solution 1Recommended

Troubleshoot List Column Configurations

Identify and temporarily disable problematic column types such as Rich text or Managed Metadata to see if they are causing the grid view to hang.

In some cases, specific column configurations conflict with the Grid view's clipboard operations, causing the browser to freeze when processing multiple cells.

Access list settings

Navigate to your SharePoint list, click the Gear icon in the top right corner, and select 'List settings'.

Identify column types

Scroll down to the Columns section and check if any columns are configured to use 'Rich text' or 'Managed Metadata'.

Modify or remove columns

Temporarily remove the Managed Metadata columns, or change 'Rich text' fields to 'Enhanced text' if applicable.

Test the Grid view

Return to the list, switch to Grid view, and attempt to copy a complete row to determine if the freezing issue is resolved.

Solution 2

Submit a Microsoft 365 Support Request

If the issue persists across different browsers and affects newly created sites, it may be a Microsoft service defect requiring backend support.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Data Management

If SharePoint Grid view freezing is disrupting your workflow, consider managing your extensive data and lists offline with WPS Office. As a free, lightweight, and powerful suite, it allows you to handle large spreadsheets without browser lag or freezing issues.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
2. Export SharePoint data: Export your problematic SharePoint list to an Excel or CSV file.
3. Edit smoothly in WPS Spreadsheet: Open the exported file in WPS Spreadsheet to copy, edit, and manage large rows seamlessly without browser-related freezing.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx), Word (.docx), and CSV formats.Lightweight desktop application that handles extensive data copying without freezing.Familiar tabbed interface ensuring a smooth transition with zero learning curve.Free to use with comprehensive spreadsheet, document, and presentation features.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the SharePoint Grid view only freeze when copying more than seven cells?

This is often related to a backend memory or processing limitation in SharePoint Online's Grid view script when handling specific data formats (like Rich text) across multiple cells, causing the browser's processing thread to hang.

Does this freezing issue happen on all web browsers?

Yes, users have reported that this specific Grid view freezing issue persists across multiple browsers and operating systems, which points to a service defect rather than a localized browser cache issue.

Can I prevent the freeze without changing my list columns?

If you cannot modify the column structures, you can try copying fewer cells at a time (under seven cells) or export the list to Excel, make bulk edits there, and sync the changes back to SharePoint.

Document & File Issues