Fix SharePoint Currency Fields Showing Question Mark Squares
Question details
Users see square symbols containing question marks instead of thousand-separator spaces in SharePoint modern list views.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing currency or number fields greater than 1,000 in SharePoint modern list views.
- Observed behavior
- Numbers display question-mark squares instead of space separators, particularly in certain versions of Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
Verify if the issue persists across different web browsers and ensure your browser is updated to the latest version before applying workarounds.
Use SharePoint Classic View or Edge IE Mode
Since this is a modern-view rendering bug, switching to classic view or using IE mode in Edge bypasses the formatting error.
The square question mark is a character encoding or rendering glitch specific to how certain Chromium-based browsers handle non-breaking spaces in SharePoint's modern interface. Forcing the older rendering engine resolves the visual error.
Navigate to the affected SharePoint list, scroll to the bottom-left corner of the page, and click 'Return to classic SharePoint'.
Open Microsoft Edge Settings, search for 'IE mode', and set 'Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode (IE mode)' to Allow.
Restart your browser and reload the SharePoint list to verify that the currency separators display correctly.
Access SharePoint Using a Different Web Browser
Rendering issues are often tied to specific browser builds (like Edge 101+). Switching browsers can provide an immediate fix.
Manage Your Spreadsheets and Documents with WPS Office
If web-based platforms like SharePoint experience browser-related formatting glitches, consider using WPS Office for your local and cloud document management. It is a free, lightweight suite that offers robust spreadsheet formatting without browser rendering issues.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to set up the suite.
- 3. Open and Manage Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets to open your exported data and manage it with perfect formatting and full Excel compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do SharePoint lists show squares instead of spaces for thousands?
This is typically caused by a rendering bug in Chromium-based browsers (like Microsoft Edge and Chrome) failing to interpret the non-breaking space used as a thousand separator in SharePoint's modern list views.
Will changing the field type from Currency to Number fix the issue?
Changing the field format may only fix the display issue temporarily. The rendering bug is tied to how the browser displays large numbers in the modern view, so switching to Classic View or updating the browser is a more reliable workaround.
Does this display error affect the actual data in SharePoint?
No, the actual list data remains intact and correct. The issue is purely a visual rendering problem in the web browser's user interface, and exporting the data will show the correct numbers.
