Microsoft Lists - multiple problems with lookup columns not behaving as expected

Question

Hi.

I am pulling my hair out trying to figure out two problems I'm having with Microsoft Lists, and I'd appreciate it if anyone here can help me.

Situation: I have created three source Lists (employees, supervisors, jobs) and-- so far-- one target list.

On the target List, I have lookup columns referencing the aforementioned source Lists.

Problem #1: On the target List the "Employees" column is set to "allow multiple entries", and although the column does allow multiple selections, only the first selection is saved in the List.

Problem #2: Also on target List, the lookup columns are set to "Deletions from Source list affect this List=NO". And yet, if I delete any entries from the source Lists (say, employees who have left the company), they disappear from the target List as well.

So either I am missing something (entirely possible), or these two settings simply don't work (which also wouldn't surprise me).

If anyone has any suggestions on how to fix these problems, I'd be grateful.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Dear Joseph Moran (joseph.moran),

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

We are sorry to hear that you’re having trouble with Microsoft Lists. I deeply understand the inconvenience caused and apologize for it.

We appreciate your understanding that sometimes the initial response may not resolve the problem immediately. However, we can work together to narrow down and resolve the situation. So, for further troubleshooting, could you please provide the information below:

1. Could you please let me know if you have a custom JSON format any of the Lists?
2. could you let me know what happens when you access the List in Grid view or switch to Classic view and select and save your Multiple selections?
3. Could you please provide the lists' multiple selection values so that I can configure a fresh column from my end and check for bugs? You can do this by going to the Employees column, right-clicking on Employees, selecting Column settings, and then clicking Edit. Additionally, could you please provide a screenshot of the list selection values, similar to the example below? Please also provide the seem details for the any one of the affected lookup columns.

Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Ralph Chawatama | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 2

Hello Ralph.

Thank you for the quick reply. Very much appreciate your efforts to assist me.

To answer your questions:

1. No custom JSON in any of the Lists.
2. If I access the List in Grid view, I get exactly the same symptom-- only the first selection is retained no matter how many choices I make, If I switch to Classic mode, I can't even make multiple selections in this column, it only lets me choose one.
3. I am providing the requested screen shot of the settings for the column in question below, but because your example is of a choice column, I just want to point out that per my original post, mine is a lookup column, not a choice column.

One other thing I will mention in case it is relevant or helpful-- I tried modifying an existing item to see if adding additional attendees after the fact would work. When I do this, I see the additional attendees for a second or two while the "Saving..." message appears, and then those extra entries just disappear.

Answer 3

Hi Joseph Moran (joseph.moran),

Good day! hope you are doing well.

Thank you for the detailed response. However, I would appreciate a bit more information. Could you please let me know if your list is using a default view or a custom view? Additionally, could you confirm if this issue is only occurring with this particular list or if other lists are experiencing similar issues as well?

We appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Ralph Chawatama | Microsoft Community Moderator

Answer 4

Hi Joseph Moran (joseph.moran),

 

Good day! hope you are doing well.

 

Thank you for the detailed response. However, I would appreciate a bit more information. Could you please let me know if your list is using a default view or a custom view? Additionally, could you confirm if this issue is only occurring with this particular list or if other lists are experiencing similar issues as well?

 

We appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

 

Sincerely,

Ralph Chawatama | Microsoft Community Moderator

Hello Ralph.

I am using the Default View.

As far as I know only this list is having the issue, but although I have other lists, none of my others are using Lookup columns, so unfortunately, I have no basis for comparison.

Answer 5

Hi Joseph Moran (joseph.moran),

Good day! hope you are doing well.

Thank you for quick response. After further investigation from our end the only option left to try and recreate the list and check if the issue still persists as it may have been corrupted.

We appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Ralph Chawatama | Microsoft Community Moderator