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How to Fix SharePoint JSON Form Formatting Disappearing After Refresh
Question details
Users are encountering an issue where custom JSON formatting applied to SharePoint Online forms disappears unexpectedly after the browser is refreshed.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Applying custom JSON formatting to SharePoint Online list or survey forms.
- Observed behavior
- The JSON formatting saves and displays correctly at first, but completely disappears when the page is refreshed or the browser is reopened.
Before proceeding with troubleshooting, save a backup copy of your JSON code in a text editor (like Notepad) to ensure you do not lose your custom script during testing.
Escalate the Issue in Microsoft Q&A
Since persistent JSON formatting issues often involve deeper SharePoint environment behaviors, seeking guidance from SharePoint developers on Microsoft Q&A is the most effective path to resolution.
Formatting persistence and client availability behavior are complex development topics. When JSON formatting fails to persist across sessions, it may be linked to specific tenant configurations, rollout bugs, or conflicting Classic/Modern environment settings that require expert investigation.
Copy your exact JSON code, document your specific list or survey configuration, and determine whether your site is currently running on Classic or Modern settings.
Navigate to the official Microsoft Q&A platform and click 'Ask a question' to create a new support thread.
Ensure you tag your post with 'SharePoint Development' and 'SharePoint' so it routes to the specialized developers who handle custom formatting.
Detail the exact steps to reproduce the disappearing format (e.g., pasting the JSON, saving the form, and refreshing the browser) so the specialists can investigate effectively.
Verify Modern Experience Settings
Ensure your SharePoint list hasn't automatically reverted to the Classic experience, which does not support JSON column or form formatting.
Experience Hassle-Free Document Creation with WPS Office
Troubleshooting complex SharePoint JSON environments can be frustrating and time-consuming. For your daily document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly stable alternative. Enjoy a familiar interface where your formatting always stays exactly as you saved it.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install and launch: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to open the application.
- 3. Open your files securely: Open any existing Microsoft Office document to experience perfect formatting retention without needing complex cloud scripts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does JSON formatting only work in the Modern SharePoint experience?
JSON column and form formatting were introduced exclusively for the Modern UI framework in SharePoint Online. The older Classic experience relies on different web technologies and does not contain the necessary rendering engines to parse or display custom JSON scripts.
Can browser cache cause SharePoint JSON formatting to disappear?
Yes, sometimes your browser may load a cached, outdated version of the SharePoint page from before the JSON formatting was applied. Pressing Ctrl+F5 (or Cmd+Shift+R on Mac) will perform a hard refresh, clearing the cache and fetching the latest page data.
How do I validate my JSON code before adding it to SharePoint?
You can use an external tool like Visual Studio Code or online JSON validators to check your code for syntax errors, missing commas, or unclosed brackets. Invalid JSON might be initially accepted by the SharePoint input field but fail to compile or render when the page reloads.
