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How to Fix Empty Space in a SharePoint Page Layout

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

A SharePoint page utilizing a three-column layout displays a large blank area on the right side for certain users, while rendering perfectly for others.

How to Fix Empty Space on a SharePoint Page for Different Users

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Viewing a multi-column SharePoint intranet page across different user devices or browser environments.
Observed behavior: The responsive layout breaks or shifts incorrectly, causing a noticeable empty space to appear on the right side of the screen for specific users.

Before you start

Verify that the affected user has the correct permissions to view all web parts on the page, as hidden web parts due to access restrictions can sometimes leave blank spaces.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Windows Display Scaling and Browser Zoom

Display inconsistencies are most commonly caused by differing screen resolutions, Windows scaling percentages, or accidental browser zoom adjustments across devices.

SharePoint uses responsive web design to adapt to different screen sizes. If two users are viewing the same page with different scaling or zoom levels, the columns may resize or collapse differently.

Compare Display Settings

Right-click the Windows desktop and select 'Display settings'. Check both the 'Display resolution' and 'Scale' percentages on both devices to identify any differences.

Reset Browser Zoom

Open the SharePoint page in the web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) and press Ctrl + 0 (zero) to quickly reset the zoom level to exactly 100%.

Clear Browser Cache

Go to your browser's settings, navigate to the Privacy and Security section, and clear cached images and site data. Reload the SharePoint page to see if the layout corrects itself.

Adjust Windows Display Scaling and Browser Zoom

Hardware Differences: If one user has an ultra-wide monitor and another uses a standard laptop screen, SharePoint's responsive design will naturally alter column widths, which may expose empty margins.

Solution 2

Escalate to a Microsoft 365 Administrator

If local display and browser settings do not resolve the layout issue, it may require advanced diagnostics and support from Microsoft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do SharePoint columns look different on different monitors?

SharePoint pages use responsive design principles. On smaller screens or devices with higher scaling settings, content columns may stack or resize automatically. This dynamic resizing can sometimes leave empty space if the web parts don't scale perfectly.

Can web part permissions cause blank spaces on a page?

Yes. If a specific user does not have the necessary permissions to view a particular web part or list placed in the right column, SharePoint will hide that content from them. This missing web part often leaves a noticeable empty space.

How do I capture HAR logs for SharePoint troubleshooting?

Open your browser's Developer Tools by pressing F12, go to the 'Network' tab, and check the 'Preserve log' option. Reload the broken SharePoint page entirely, then right-click in the network activity area or click the export icon to save all traffic as a .har file.

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