SharePoint Document Issues

How to Reuse SharePoint JSON Column Formatting for Daily Columns

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to reuse existing SharePoint JSON column formatting for new daily columns without manually reconfiguring colors and settings from scratch.

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating reusable daily columns for staff duties in a SharePoint list and applying consistent visual formatting.
Observed behavior: The copied JSON contains hardcoded references to a specific day (such as `$Monday`), which prevents the formatting from working correctly when pasted into a new daily column.

Before you start

Ensure you have Edit permissions for the SharePoint list and note the exact internal names of your target columns before modifying the JSON code.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Internal Column Names in the JSON Code

Manually replace references to the original column name with the internal name of the new target column to ensure the logic applies correctly.

SharePoint JSON formatting relies heavily on specific internal column names. If you simply copy and paste JSON from one column (e.g., Monday) to another, it will fail or display incorrectly because it is still referencing the original column's data. You must update these references.

Access the new column's formatting pane

Open your SharePoint list, click the column header for the new target column (e.g., Tuesday), select 'Column settings', and then click 'Format this column'.

Open Advanced Mode

Click 'Advanced mode' at the bottom of the formatting pane to open the JSON editor.

Paste and modify the JSON

Paste your original JSON code into the editor. Find all instances of the original internal column name (e.g., `[$Monday]`) and replace them with the exact internal name of the new column (e.g., `[$Tuesday]`).

Preview and save

Click the 'Preview' button to validate the formatting. Once it displays correctly, click 'Save' to apply the changes to your SharePoint list.

Internal Name Warning: Do not paste JSON code through Microsoft Word, as it may introduce smart quotes or hidden formatting characters that will break the JSON syntax.

Solution 2

Seek Help from the SharePoint Development Community

For highly complex JSON logic or list schema issues that cannot be resolved by simple text replacement, consult Microsoft Q&A specialists.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Duty Rosters Easily with WPS Office

While SharePoint lists are great for web-based tracking, WPS Spreadsheet offers an easier, offline-friendly way to manage staff duties with conditional formatting—no coding or JSON required. It is fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats and completely free.

1. Create a duty roster: Open WPS Spreadsheet and set up your columns for Monday through Friday.
2. Apply visual rules: Highlight your data range, click 'Conditional Formatting' on the Home tab, and set your color rules.
3. Save and share: Save your roster as an .xlsx file to share seamlessly with your team.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats and formulas.Set up color-coded daily duty rosters visually using built-in Conditional Formatting.Lightweight, fast, and completely free to download and use.Familiar user interface makes migration seamless without the need to learn complex JSON syntax.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the exact internal name of a SharePoint column?

Go to your SharePoint list settings, scroll down to the 'Columns' section, and click on the specific column name. Check the URL in your web browser's address bar; the internal name is the text immediately following 'Field=' at the very end of the URL.

Why is my copied JSON formatting not showing any colors in the new column?

Copied JSON formatting typically fails if the new column has a different internal name or a different data type. Ensure you have updated all field references (like `[$Monday]`) in the JSON code to perfectly match the new column's internal name.

Can I apply one JSON format to multiple SharePoint columns at once?

You cannot apply single-column JSON formatting to multiple columns simultaneously via the standard user interface. For individual columns, you must paste and modify the JSON in each column's specific formatting pane. Alternatively, you can use 'View Formatting' to format the entire row.

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