Data Protection Issues

Fix Unexpected Likes Column in Microsoft Lists | Privacy Guide

Algirdas Jasaitis Sep 27, 2026 868 views

Question details

A personal Microsoft Lists list displays an unexpected 'Number of Likes' column with a high count, causing concerns that private data might be visible to others.

How to Fix the Unexpected Likes Column in Personal Microsoft Lists

Product: Microsoft Lists
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Viewing a personal, unshared list and discovering pre-populated engagement data in a default column.
Observed behavior: An unusually high count appears in the 'Number of Likes' column despite the list never being shared with other users.

Before you start

Before altering your list structure, verify that you are logged into your personal Microsoft account and check if the list was created using a pre-configured Microsoft template.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Privacy Settings and Hide the Likes Column

Check your list sharing settings to ensure your data is strictly private, then remove the confusing template column.

In many preview versions of Microsoft Lists or when using specific templates, default columns may display phantom data. If you have not shared the list, this count does not mean other users are accessing your data.

Check Sharing Permissions

Open your list in Microsoft Lists, click the 'Share' button at the top of the screen, and select 'Manage Access' to confirm that only you have access to the list.

Access Column Settings

Click directly on the 'Number of Likes' column header at the top of your data table.

Hide or Remove the Column

Select 'Column settings' from the dropdown menu, then click 'Hide this column'. Alternatively, select 'Edit' and click 'Delete' to permanently remove it.

Verify Privacy Settings and Hide the Likes Column

Submit Feedback: If you continue to see phantom data on personal lists, consider submitting a bug report by clicking the 'Help' or 'Feedback' icon in the top right corner of the Microsoft Lists app.

Solution 2

Recreate the List as a Blank Template

If the template applied unnecessary default columns, recreating a blank list can prevent these display issues.

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Manage Tabular Data Privately with WPS Spreadsheet

If you are concerned about cloud privacy or unexpected template behaviors in Microsoft 365, consider using WPS Spreadsheet to manage your lists locally. It provides a highly secure, lightweight, and private way to organize your personal data.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free WPS Office suite for your operating system.
2. Install and Open: Run the installer, then open the WPS Spreadsheet application.
3. Organize Data Securely: Create a new blank workbook to structure your list data locally, keeping it safe from cloud-based template bugs.

Manage list data locally to ensure complete offline privacyFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formatsLightweight application with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interfaceFree to use without unexpected cloud synchronization quirks

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my personal Microsoft List show likes from others?

This is often a display bug in preview versions or a default artifact from a built-in list template. If your sharing settings restrict access to 'Only me', no one else can see or interact with the list.

Can I disable the likes feature entirely in Microsoft Lists?

Yes, you can disable the rating feature. Click the gear icon to open List settings, navigate to 'Rating settings', and turn off the 'Allow items in this list to be rated' option.

Are Microsoft Lists templates public by default?

No. When you create a list using a template on a personal account, it remains private unless you explicitly share it. The template merely provides a pre-built structure and default columns.

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