How to Fix SharePoint Multiple Lines of Text Icon Not Expanding
Question details
The user needs a solution for an unresponsive expansion icon on a Multiple Lines of Text field in a SharePoint list view.
- Product
- SharePoint / Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing a SharePoint list containing a Multiple Lines of Text column with truncated text.
- Observed behavior
- The text expansion icon appears but clicking it does not expand or reveal the additional text, even when extra content exists.
Verify whether the issue occurs consistently by testing the SharePoint list view in an incognito window or an alternative web browser.
Troubleshoot Browser and List View Settings
Isolate the issue by checking if the unresponsive icon is caused by local browser caching or a specific corrupted list view.
Before escalating the issue to the backend support team, ruling out front-end rendering problems is highly recommended. Sometimes, cached browser data or a specific faulty view configuration can prevent UI elements from functioning.
Open the SharePoint list in another web browser (such as Edge, Chrome, or Firefox) or utilize an Incognito/Private browsing window to see if the icon becomes clickable.
If the expansion icon functions properly in private mode, navigate to your primary browser's settings and clear your browsing cache and cookies.
Switch to a different list view using the view selector in the top-right corner of the SharePoint list, or create a temporary new list view to determine if the issue is isolated to the original view.
Escalate to Microsoft 365 Support
If the issue persists across all browsers and views, contact support for a backend investigation.
Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
While SharePoint list interface issues require Microsoft support to resolve, you can depend on WPS Office as a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for creating, editing, and collaborating on your daily documents without web-based rendering glitches.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the software suite.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the multiple lines of text icon appear when there is no extra text?
In certain SharePoint list configurations, the user interface may render the expansion icon by default for all 'Multiple Lines of Text' columns, regardless of whether the actual character count exceeds the visible preview limit.
Can I read or edit the full text without clicking the expansion icon?
Yes. You can view and edit the complete text by clicking on the list item row to open the details pane on the right side of the screen, or by selecting the item and clicking 'Edit' in the command bar.
Will applying JSON column formatting fix the unresponsive icon?
While it won't fix the default icon's behavior, utilizing custom JSON column formatting can serve as an effective workaround. You can format the column to wrap the text or conditionally display the full content without relying on the native expansion toggle.
Who can open a service request in the Microsoft 365 admin center?
Only users with administrative privileges, such as the Global Administrator or Support Administrator for your organization's Microsoft 365 tenant, have the authorization to access the Support tab and open a new service request.
