SharePoint: JSON Updates for New Library

Key insights

• YouTube video overview: This short video walks through how to update JSON scripts for the new SharePoint document library experience step by step.
  It shows real examples you can follow in a test library so you can apply changes safely.
• Key UI changes: The new library adds Autofit height, a Details icon, an Enhanced Command Bar, and smoother navigation to match OneDrive design.
  These changes improve usability but can require JSON updates for custom views and actions.
• Impact on JSON formatting: Some JSON keys and command-bar customizations have changed or become unsupported, so existing scripts may break.
  Expect to update key names, remove deprecated actions, and adapt to new properties the interface now expects.
• Update steps: 1) Review Microsoft documentation for recent JSON changes. 2) Test current scripts in a copy of the library. 3) Replace deprecated keys and adjust syntax to the new model. 4) Validate each change in the live view editor.
  Work iteratively and keep changes small so you can find issues quickly.
• Best practices: Keep a Backup of current JSON, use a Staged rollout, and store scripts in version control.
  Document each change, prefer supported actions over hacks, and simplify JSON to reduce future breakage.
• Tools and troubleshooting: Use the SharePoint format editor and the browser console to find JSON errors, and rely on official Microsoft documentation and samples for correct syntax.
  If a feature no longer works, map it to a supported action or use alternative UI patterns shown in examples.

Introduction

A new YouTube video by Ami Diamond [MVP] walks through how to update JSON scripts for the redesigned SharePoint document library experience. The video is framed as a practical, step-by-step guide and targets administrators and developers who rely on JSON formatting. Consequently, it highlights immediate compatibility issues and offers concrete fixes to keep libraries functioning as intended. Viewers should note that the author is a man and speaks from experience working with Microsoft 365 customizations.

What Ami Diamond Demonstrates

First, the video shows viewers how breaking changes in key names affect existing formatting scripts. Then, the presenter runs through common scenarios where the old keys no longer trigger expected behaviors and explains how to map those to the updated schema. He also walks through examples that reveal which parts of formatting still behave the same and which require a rewrite. Overall, the tutorial aims to reduce guesswork by showing practical edits and tests in a live environment.

Key Technical Changes

The update to the library experience alters several key names and removes some features previously available via JSON. For instance, command bar customizations and inline editing behave differently or may not be supported anymore, and common properties like elmType, txtContent, and customRowAction require careful review. As a result, scripts that once controlled visibility, actions, or formatting can silently fail or produce unexpected UI items. Therefore, the video emphasizes identifying these changed keys before applying broad updates across sites.

How to Update Your JSON Scripts

Ami begins the update process by recommending that you review current scripts and test them in a copy of the library to avoid breaking production content. Next, he suggests locating deprecated key names and replacing them with the new equivalents, while keeping a record of each change to facilitate rollback if needed. He also demonstrates ways to confirm behavior after edits, such as refreshing views, testing actions in the command bar, and validating that conditional formatting still triggers correctly. Finally, he stresses the value of incremental testing to catch regressions early.

Alternative Approaches and When to Use Them

While updating JSON is often the fastest route to restore functionality, Ami outlines alternative approaches for more complex needs, like building an SPFx extension or using no-code tools such as Power Automate and forms customization. These paths trade off speed for flexibility: custom code can replicate complex behaviors that JSON no longer supports, but it also demands more maintenance and potentially higher security scrutiny. Conversely, no-code options reduce development time yet may not match the precision or performance of tailored solutions.

Tradeoffs and Challenges

Balancing short-term fixes and long-term maintainability is a central theme in the video, and Ami explains the typical tradeoffs clearly. For example, quick JSON patches restore UX quickly and keep admin overhead low, but they may hide deeper compatibility issues that resurface later. By contrast, reengineering with extensions or APIs solves deeper limitations but increases complexity, testing needs, and the potential for tenant-specific differences. Therefore, teams must weigh time, skillset, and risk tolerance when choosing a path forward.

Testing, Governance, and Rollout

Ami emphasizes testing across different browsers, user roles, and tenant settings as part of a robust rollout plan. He recommends maintaining version-controlled copies of formatting scripts so teams can track changes and revert when needed, and he advocates testing in non-production instances before worldwide deployment. In addition, the video highlights governance considerations, noting that stricter change controls may be warranted for mission-critical libraries. These steps help reduce surprises during tenant-wide updates.

Practical Recommendations

To summarize, the video advises administrators to start by auditing current JSON customizations and then to prioritize fixes by impact and usage. After that, implement edits incrementally while documenting each change and validating the user experience for regular tasks. If a customization proves too brittle or the required feature is removed entirely, plan a migration to a more robust approach such as SPFx or a controlled no-code alternative. Finally, keep stakeholder communication clear so users understand why behavior might shift temporarily.

Why This Matters Now

Because Microsoft continues to modernize the SharePoint user interface, maintaining compatibility with platform updates is an ongoing responsibility for IT teams. Ami’s video provides timely guidance that helps reduce downtime and prevents broken experiences for end users. Moreover, following his stepwise approach helps teams balance speed and stability while preparing for future updates that might introduce additional changes. In short, the guidance is practical for anyone who needs to keep libraries reliable after the new library experience rolls out.

Conclusion

Ami Diamond’s walkthrough offers a clear path for updating JSON scripts in response to the new document library experience, and it balances actionable steps with broader strategic advice. Consequently, teams can use his recommendations to decide between quick fixes and more sustainable rework depending on their resources and risk tolerance. Ultimately, careful testing, documentation, and governance will make the transition smoother and reduce the likelihood of surprises as Microsoft evolves the platform.

Keywords

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