Missing Information Callout

Summary

The Missing Information Callout column formatter provides a clear, accessible visual indicator when a SharePoint list column contains no value. Rather than displaying an empty cell, the formatter presents a Fluent UI-inspired callout with a warning icon, title, and supporting message, helping users quickly identify incomplete records.

The formatter is designed to improve data quality by making missing information immediately visible without requiring additional validation rules, Power Automate flows, or custom development.

Features

• Displays a prominent callout when the target field is empty.
• Automatically hides the callout when a value exists.
• Fluent UI-inspired styling using native SharePoint formatting capabilities.
• Lightweight JSON with no external dependencies.
• Accessible design using both iconography and descriptive text.
• Fully client-side rendering with no impact on list data.
• Easily adapted for different field types and business scenarios.
• Suitable for modern SharePoint Online lists and libraries.

View Requirements

This formatting requires the following column in your SharePoint list:

Column	Type	Required
Target Column	Any supported column type*	Yes

Note The supplied sample is intended for text-based fields. When formatting other column types (such as Person, Lookup, Choice, Hyperlink, or Managed Metadata), the expression used to determine whether the field is empty may need to be adjusted.

JSON Column Formatting Features

The JSON formatting includes several advanced visual features:

• Conditional rendering using SharePoint expression syntax.
• Fluent UI warning icon (Warning).
• Flexible layout using CSS Flexbox.
• Visual emphasis through a coloured left border.
• Rounded corners for a modern appearance.
• Responsive spacing and typography.
• Automatic hiding when the field contains a value.
• Clean separation between title and descriptive text.
• Native SharePoint JSON formatting only - no JavaScript or custom CSS required.

How to Apply

1. Open the SharePoint list.
2. Select the column you want to format.
3. Open the column menu.
4. Select Column settings > Format this column.
5. Switch to Advanced mode.
6. Replace the existing JSON with the contents of this sample.
7. Save the formatting.

The formatter immediately evaluates the value of the current field.

• If the field is empty, the warning callout is displayed.
• If the field contains a value, the formatter is hidden and the cell displays normally.

How It Works

The formatter evaluates the current column using a conditional expression.

If field is empty
    Display warning callout

Else
    Hide formatter

The layout is constructed using nested div elements with Flexbox, providing consistent alignment across modern SharePoint experiences.

The warning icon is rendered using the built-in Fluent UI icon set via the iconName attribute.

Customization Options

The sample has been designed for easy customization.

Change the title

"txtContent": "Missing information"

Example: Owner Required

Change the message

"txtContent": "This field has not been completed."

Example: Assign a project owner before work begins.

Change the icon

Replace:

"iconName": "Warning"

Examples:

Icon	Purpose
Info	Informational message
Completed	Success state
ErrorBadge	Validation error
Blocked	Mandatory field
ReminderPerson	Missing owner
Calendar	Missing date

Adjust spacing

The appearance can be refined by modifying:

• padding
• gap
• border-radius
• font-size
• line-height

These properties allow the formatter to match your organisation's preferred visual style.

Notes

• This formatter only changes the visual presentation of the column.
• It does not enforce required fields or perform data validation.
• Existing column values remain unchanged.
• Users can continue to edit items using standard SharePoint forms.

Sample

Solution	Author(s)
generic-missing-information-callout.json	Josiah Opiyo

Version History

Version	Date	Comments
1.0	July 12, 2026	Initial release

Disclaimer

THIS CODE IS PROVIDED AS IS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, MERCHANTABILITY, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

References

• SharePoint Column Formatting Documentation
• JSON Schema for SharePoint Column Formatting