Rich Text fields don't respond when you use Internet Explorer to access a SharePoint site

Problem

When you use Internet Explorer to access a SharePoint Online or SharePoint Server 2013 site that contains a Rich Text field, the Rich Text field doesn't respond.

Solution

To resolve this issue, add your SharePoint site or sites to the Trusted sites zone in Internet Explorer. Also make sure that the HtmlDlgSafeHelper Class add-on is enabled.

To add your SharePoint Online site to the trusted zone, follow these steps:

  1. Start Internet Explorer.

  2. Depending on your version of Internet Explorer, do one of the following:

    • On the Tools menu, click Internet options.
    • Click the gear icon, and then click Internet options.

    Screenshot of the Internet options item in the Setting menu of Internet Explorer.

  3. Click the Security tab, click Trusted sites, and then click Sites.

    Screenshot of the Trusted Sites setting in the Security tab of Internet Options.

  4. In the Add this website to the zone box, type the URL for the SharePoint Online site that you want to add to the Trusted sites zone, and then click Add. For example, type https://contoso.sharepoint.com. (Here, the contoso placeholder represents the domain that you use for your organization.) Repeat this step for any additional sites that you want to add to this zone.

    Screenshot of adding the example website to the Trusted sites zone.

  5. After you have added each site to the Websites list, click Close, and then click OK.

To enable the HtmlDlgSafeHelper Class add-on, follow these steps:

  1. In Internet Explorer, click the gear icon for the Tools menu, and then click Manage add-ons.
  2. In the list of add-ons, locate HtmlDlgSafeHelper Class.
  3. If the Status for this add-on is set to Disabled, select the add-on, and then click Enable.

More information

Be aware that the first time the Font control is clicked, it may not display anything, and you might have to click it again. After the client-side cache contains the Rich Text controls, it should work consistently. This behavior is caused by a disabled ActiveX control in Internet Explorer that prevents ActiveX controls from running. Or, it may occur after the cache for Internet Explorer is cleared.

Still need help? Go to SharePoint Community.