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How to Set Up SharePoint List Branching Logic Based on a Percentage

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to dynamically show a specific question on a SharePoint list form only when the 'Personnel Site Ownership' column is answered with '50% or more'.

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing the 'Add New Item' form in a standard SharePoint list to include conditional branching logic based on user input.
Observed behavior: The user is seeking the correct formula syntax or built-in method to achieve this form behavior without migrating to Microsoft Forms.

Before you start

Ensure you have 'Design' or 'Edit' permissions for the SharePoint list and confirm the exact internal column name for 'Personnel Site Ownership' before applying formulas.

Solution 1Recommended

Use SharePoint Edit Columns Conditional Formatting

Apply a simple conditional formula directly within the default SharePoint list form to show or hide fields dynamically.

SharePoint allows users to set conditional logic for displaying columns in the default list form. You must reference the specific internal name of the column that dictates the condition.

Open the List Form

Navigate to your SharePoint list and click the 'New' button to open the 'Add New Item' form panel on the right side of the screen.

Access Edit Columns

Click the 'Edit form' icon at the top right of the new item panel, then select 'Edit columns' from the dropdown menu.

Edit Conditional Formula

Locate the column that you want to conditionally appear. Hover over it, click the three dots (...) icon on the right, and select 'Edit conditional formula'.

Apply the Formula

Enter the formula: =IF([$PersonnelSiteOwnership]=='50% or more', 'true', 'false'). Ensure you use the exact internal name for the field inside the brackets. Click 'Save'.

Applying Multiple Conditions: If another field, such as 'Preferred Payment Arrangement', must also affect the result, you can use logical operators like AND() or OR() within your IF statement to handle complex scenarios.

Solution 2

Customize the List Form Using Power Apps

For more advanced branching logic that standard conditional formatting cannot support, utilize Power Apps integration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn't my conditional formula working in the SharePoint list?

Formulas fail mostly because the 'Display Name' was used instead of the 'Internal Name'. Ensure you enclose the exact internal column name in brackets, e.g., [$PersonnelSiteOwnership]. Internal names never contain spaces.

Can I use branching logic directly on standard Microsoft Forms?

Yes, Microsoft Forms has a built-in branching logic feature found under the 'More settings' menu for each question. However, this is separate from SharePoint List forms, which require the JSON-style formatting or Power Apps.

Can I conditionally require a field based on another response?

In standard SharePoint conditional formatting, you can only show or hide fields. To conditionally make a field 'Required' based on another answer, you must use Power Apps to customize the form's 'Required' property logic.

Do I need administrator privileges to add conditional formulas?

You do not need full administrator privileges, but you do need at least 'Design' or 'Edit' permissions for that specific SharePoint list to access the 'Edit columns' panel and modify list configurations.

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