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How to Show Full Append Text Instead of View Entries in SharePoint
Question details
The user wants to display the complete text directly in a SharePoint list column instead of clicking a 'View Entries' link.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing list items containing multi-line text columns that have been configured to append changes to existing text.
- Observed behavior
- The SharePoint column displays a 'View Entries' hyperlink instead of rendering the actual appended message content in the list view.
Ensure you have the necessary permissions, such as Site Owner or List Administrator rights, to modify column configurations and advanced list settings in your SharePoint site.
Disable Append Changes and Switch to Classic List Experience
This solution alters the column configuration and list view to force SharePoint to render the full text content rather than a hyperlink to the version history.
By default, when 'Append changes to existing text' is enabled in a modern SharePoint list, it replaces the text with a 'View Entries' link to maintain a clean layout. Turning off this setting and reverting to the classic list experience allows the text to be displayed directly.
Navigate to your SharePoint list, click the gear icon in the top right corner, and select 'List settings'. Scroll down to the Columns section, click on the specific multi-line text column, and set 'Append changes to existing text' to 'No'. Click 'OK' to save.
Still within the 'List settings' page, locate the 'General Settings' section at the top and click on 'Advanced settings'.
Scroll to the very bottom of the Advanced settings page to find the 'List experience' section. Select the 'Classic experience' radio button, then click 'OK' to apply the changes. Return to your list to view the full text in the column.
Manage and Edit Your Exported SharePoint Documents with WPS Office
While SharePoint is excellent for managing lists, you often need a reliable desktop application to edit the documents stored within it. WPS Office is a highly compatible, free alternative to Microsoft Office that lets you view, edit, and create Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files effortlessly.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installer and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up on your device.
- 2. Open Exported Files: Download your document from SharePoint, then double-click the file to open it instantly in WPS Office.
- 3. Edit and Save: Make your necessary edits using the familiar ribbon menu and save the file in its original Microsoft Office format to maintain compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my SharePoint multi-line text columns display 'View Entries'?
When a multi-line text column is configured to 'Append changes to existing text' alongside item versioning, SharePoint groups the text history into a single 'View Entries' link to keep the modern list view clean and readable.
Can I show full text without switching to the Classic experience?
In the Modern experience, append-only columns will always default to 'View Entries'. To show text without switching to Classic, you must either disable the 'Append changes to existing text' option entirely or use complex custom JSON formatting.
Will disabling 'Append changes to existing text' delete my previous entries?
No, disabling this setting does not delete previous entries; they are preserved in the item's version history. However, any new text you add moving forward will overwrite the currently visible text instead of creating a timestamped log.
