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How to Fix SharePoint List Web Part Column Width Issues

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are looking for a workaround for an issue where column widths set in a SharePoint list do not display correctly or persist when embedded in a modern page List web part.

SharePoint List Web Part Column Width Workarounds

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing modern SharePoint pages and configuring List web parts to display data with specific column formatting.
Observed behavior: Custom column width settings configured in the SharePoint list view fail to persist or render properly inside the List web part on modern pages.

Before you start

Since this is a known architectural limitation of modern SharePoint pages without a reliable community fix, ensure you have Microsoft 365 administrator privileges so you can open an official support ticket.

Solution 1Recommended

Open a Microsoft 365 Support Ticket

Because there is no reliable community-side fix for this long-standing limitation, escalating the issue directly to Microsoft for tenant investigation is the recommended approach.

This behavior has been widely reported in community discussions for several years. The List web part on modern pages relies on a responsive layout engine that often overrides custom column widths. As the community has limited resources to alter Microsoft's backend rendering, official support intervention is required to collect diagnostic logs and confirm if any tenant-specific workarounds are available.

Access the Admin Center

Navigate to Help and Support

Click on 'Support' in the left-hand navigation menu, then select 'Help & support'.

Submit the Issue

Type a brief description of the SharePoint List web part column width issue, bypass the automated suggestions, and follow the prompts to create a new service request so the Microsoft team can collect diagnostic logs.

Admin Access Required: You must be an administrator for your Microsoft 365 tenant to access the Help & support menu. If you do not have admin rights, please contact your IT department.

Solution 2

Verify and Re-save the Default List View

Before contacting support, verify that your column widths are correctly saved to the source list view, as unsaved view configurations will not translate to the web part.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do SharePoint list columns resize automatically in the modern web part?

The modern SharePoint List web part uses a responsive design layout framework. This framework frequently overrides static custom column widths to ensure the list fits dynamically within the boundaries of the specific modern page section.

Can I use JSON column formatting to force the column width?

While JSON column formatting is highly effective for customizing how data looks within a list, it is not a reliable workaround for forcing strict column widths inside the modern List web part layout due to its responsive nature.

Will clearing my browser cache resolve the column width display issue?

No. The issue is related to server-side rendering logic and SharePoint's modern page architecture, so clearing your local browser cache will not resolve the problem.

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