Star rating

What it is

The star rating control draws a whole number column as a row of stars. Select a star to set the rating, select the same star again or the first one to lower it. Filled stars show the value. In a view the column still reads as a number.

The control changes how the column is shown, not how it is stored. The value is a normal whole number, so you can filter, sort and chart on it.

When to use it

Use it for quick scores such as satisfaction or quality, where a number between 0 and 5 reads more naturally as stars.

If people need an exact value in a wider range, use a Slider or the plain Whole number input.

Licensing and configuration

No extra licence. Microsoft Learn says star rating controls are only available for whole number columns. In the form designer, select the column, choose + Component, pick the star rating control and select the clients where it should show. Then set the maximum and, where offered, the target value, and publish the form. Set the column's own minimum and maximum so that the column and the control agree.

Pitfalls

• The control does not enforce the range. A script, flow or import can still write 9 into a 0 to 5 column unless the column's limits stop it.
• Stars are hard to hit on small screens and difficult with a keyboard, so keep the maximum low.
• It is a form control. Views and charts show the number.
• A zero looks the same as an empty column.

Try it in the demo

1. Open the first accelerator and find Star rating in the Custom controls section.
2. Select the fourth star and note the unsaved status.
3. Use the arrow keys to move the value.
4. Compare it with the Whole number, 0 to 5 field, which edits the same column.