Help / Info Panel (Form Configuration)
Overview
- Adds a quiet help note with a tip or context to the form
- Keeps guidance visible without dominating the form
- Useful for clarifying a tricky field or pointing to more help
- Sits above the fields without changing any of them
- Applied as form-configuration JSON in the header, so it changes nothing about the data
- Works on any list form, and the note is easy to edit
Common Use Cases
- Forms with a confusing field
- Self-service request forms
- Surveys and feedback forms
- Onboarding forms
- Policy acknowledgement forms
- Any form that needs a gentle tip
How to Apply JSON Formatting
1. Open the list, then open any item to show its form.
2. At the top of the form, expand the Edit form (pencil) icon and choose Configure layout.
3. In the Apply formatting to dropdown, choose Header.
4. Paste the JSON below into the box, preview, and click Save.
JSON Code – Select, Copy and Paste
{
"elmType": "div",
"style": {
"display": "flex",
"align-items": "flex-start",
"width": "100%",
"box-sizing": "border-box",
"background-color": "#dce8ff",
"border-left": "5px solid #2f56e8",
"border-radius": "6px",
"padding": "12px 14px",
"margin-bottom": "14px"
},
"children": [
{
"elmType": "span",
"attributes": {
"iconName": "Lightbulb"
},
"style": {
"font-size": "17px",
"color": "#2f56e8",
"margin-right": "10px",
"flex-shrink": "0",
"margin-top": "1px"
}
},
{
"elmType": "div",
"style": {
"font-size": "13px",
"color": "#111827",
"line-height": "1.5",
"white-space": "normal",
"word-break": "break-word",
"min-width": "0",
"flex-grow": "1",
"font-weight": "500"
},
"txtContent": "Tip - if you are not sure which category to choose, pick the closest match and add a note in Details. The service desk will reroute it if needed."
}
]
}Common Questions About the Help / Info Panel
What is the Help / Info Panel built with?
It is built with a standard Microsoft List (SharePoint list) and form-configuration JSON applied to the form header. There is no custom development, no SPFx solution, and no third-party tools. It is the kind of clean, maintainable formatting Greg Zelfond builds for teams that want clearer forms without ongoing development overhead.
How is this different from the Instruction Panel?
The Instruction Panel gives step-by-step guidance to complete the form. The Help / Info Panel is a quieter, single note – a tip or a pointer – that adds context without telling people what to do step by step.
Does this design use any custom development or third-party tools?
No. It uses only out-of-the-box SharePoint form configuration, which Microsoft supports natively. That keeps it stable and easy to maintain, and nothing breaks when SharePoint is updated. Out-of-the-box is the only way Greg builds, so you can own and extend the design yourself for years.
If LookBook 365 is code-free and out-of-the-box, why does this example include JSON?
Because SharePoint formatting JSON is not custom code – it is a native configuration feature built into lists and libraries. It is declarative: it only describes how an existing form looks, and cannot run scripts, reach external services, or change your data. Nothing is deployed and nothing breaks when Microsoft updates SharePoint, and you can edit or remove it anytime. That is why LookBook 365 treats it as out-of-the-box and low risk.
Can it link to more help?
Yes. The note can include a link to a help page or policy, so people can go deeper if they need to. The text and link are set in the JSON and easy to change.
Can Greg build form formatting like this for our team?
Yes – this is exactly the kind of work Greg Zelfond does. As an independent SharePoint consultant and Microsoft MVP, he designs out-of-the-box list and library form formatting like this so your team can read and maintain it without a developer. Reach out through the contact page to talk about your forms.
