"Multiple lines of text" not wrapping in field

Question

Hi Everyone!

I created a field with the properties of "Multiple lines of text" - 6 lines actually. When a user fills out a form and enters information into the 6 line text box, the line scrolls to the right instead of wrapping to the next line. Also, when reviewing the form after submission, the "Multiple lines of text" box only shows one line and you cannot see beyond the right border of the box. To scroll to the right, you have to actually enter the edit mode. 

I'm guessing I did something wrong because I cannot imagine this would be designed to behave this way.

I'm using SharePoint O365. Here's a snippet of the properties:

Thanks, Kevin

Answer 1

Hi Kevin,

You can select Rich text (Bold, italics, text alignment, hyperlinks) while creating the column. Selecting ‘Rich text’ will make the text flow in next line instead of hiding the text beyond the border.

Here’s how the field looks when we select Rich Text as ‘Additional column settings’.

Screenshot of column settings

When you say “a user fills out a form and enters information into the 6-line text box, the line scrolls to the right instead of wrapping to the next line”, can you please provide us with some related screenshot to understand the situation better?

Also, can you confirm if it is a customized form, created in InfoPath or a simple list created in a browser?

If selecting Rich text doesn’t resolve your second issue, then we would like to collect the screenshot for this as well.

Thanks,

Neha

Answer 2

Hi Neha!

I am hoping to avoid RTF as the tags don't export well - same with HTML. I don't understand why a multiple text box would not contain all the text instead of letting it run off on line 1. To me, this seems silly to have the option of multiple lines if SharePoint can't support the option in a pure text only entry.

As to your question about Infopath, yes the form was created using that tool.

And, to show you the issue, first hand:

This snippet shows the description running off the field instead of line-wrapping. It is impossible to read all the text. If you turn on editing, then you can put the cursor on the line of text and arrow over to the right to expose more. Not desirable if you're locking it down for read only.

Based on your response, there is no solution other than to create new fields and use RTF?

Thanks, Kevin

Answer 3

Hi Kevin,

I am writing to follow up this issue. I am not sure which SharePoint list experience you are using for this list (classic or new experience).

Assume that you are using new list experience. In this case, the Multi lines of text column (allowed type of text set to Plain text) only shows certain length of text. To check the whole content for this column, you can click the information icon on the ribbon > select the list item > Click See more on the right pane to check all the contents.

Also, it looks like that the text box settings for this InfoPath form has not enabled text wrap. You can enable this option for a try.

To do this, you can right click on the text box in InfoPath > text box properties > click display tab > select Multi-line > OK > Publish.

If you are using classic experience, can you capture a screenshot of that “not text-wrap” columnfor investigation?

Regards,

Ryan

Answer 4

Hi Ryan,

I am using the classic as I'm not fond of the "new experience". As for your suggestion, the box is checked, it was done so by default.

And, for the last question. "If you are using classic experience, can you capture a screenshot of that “not text-wrap” columnfor investigation?" I'm not sure what you are asking for. In my previous postings in this thread, I have included screenshots of the column's properties and the displayed output of the column.

Thanks, Kevin

Answer 5

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the updates.

We need screenshots of your affected list page in classic SharePoint list view.

To protect your privacy, I have sent you a private message asking for the tenant information and other related information required for further investigation.

Regards,

Ryan