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Import from Excel to SP

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Posted on by ChrisChong

Is there a way to simply import records directly from Excel into a SP list without copy/paste?

I was using Access Web Apps with many records and then converting to new SP lists, then creating PowerApps apps from those lists. But, "of curse", (SIC) AWA is practically gone. So, now what?

The copy/paste solution is entirely impractical for large numbers of records. Other so-called "solutions" requiring no-code/low-code programming for one-time importing seems terribly wasteful of my time. So, help, please? It seems simple to a neophyte like me--create a function on the SP action bar to "Import from Excel" and put it beside the "Export to Excel" function.

Thank you all--far more brilliant than I--for your suggestions. I appreciate them and I'm sure others would too.

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Jeff_Thorpe 6,085 Super User 2024 Season 1 on at

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You can import an Excel list into a new SharePoint list.

Open your site in IE (You need IE because this features requires active x)
Go to Sites Contents
Click on New > App
Type in "Import Spreadsheet"
Click on the Import Spreadsheet app
The app will walk you through the steps to import the Excel spreadsheet.

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ChrisChong on at

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Thank you very much for responding. Two points:
When I use the method you suggest, I get an error message: "The specified file is not a valid spreadsheet or contains no data to import." (See pic) The file is a valid Excel file and it has data to be imported. (see pic)
If the suggested method did work, it is used to create a new SP list. But what method can I use to import many records into an already exisiting SP list?
I had tried your method (using IE etc.) on a number of accasions and I became so frustrated that I went back to creating an AWA and then converting that to a SP list. That door is closing, hence my dilemma and my query.

Thank you all for any help.

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Jeff_Thorpe 6,085 Super User 2024 Season 1 on at

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I just used this feature a couple of days ago and it worked for me. I made sure by data was in a table and I used that table as my selected data range. This feature only creates a new list. My only suggestion for appending to an existing list would be to see if you can link the list to a regular Access Data and then import the Excel data into Access and upload it to the list that way but I have never tried that before, so I am not sure how that would work.

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ChrisChong on at

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I just tried putting the datasheet in a table format. Same result: It does not recognise the file as valid. You are correct that this method creates a NEW SP list and does not help in appending Excel records into an existing SP list.

I do not know how to do as you suggest: "link the list to a regular Access Data and then import the Excel data into Access and upload it to the list that way..." I am intrigued by what you suggest is possible.

Why could MS not simply provide a mechanism to import or append records from Excel to a SP list. Seems like it would solve so many issues in jumpstarting an SP list.

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leyburn19 2,157 on at

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I get this randomly. It is to do with teh security settings in IE. I adjust them down and get the import to work. I think my company resets these tye of thing in te background. Go Internet Options - sucurity Tab and have a play. also suggest teh data in teh spreadsheet be made into a table. Makes it easier for the next import step

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ChrisChong on at

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Thank you. Reducing IE's security solved that problem of creating a new SP list from Excel. I appreciate you pointing that out.

Now, any suggestion for the second problem? How to append or add or import Excel records into an existing SP list.

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leyburn19 2,157 on at

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No way that I have found. All I do is copy and paste. you can do 100 rows at a time. But I have also found that it depends which PC I am. I can copy and paste on some and some I can't. do not know why yet, but I bet it sits with a similar issue to teh import

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ChrisChong on at

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Thank you for your ideas. Copy/Paste worx as you say...however, it is entirely impractical when I have 2500 records to import.

IDEA: The real solution is for MS to create a button on the SP action bar that says: "Import from Excel" and place it next to the the button: "Export to Excel". Don't you think?

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leyburn19 2,157 on at

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Something should be there. Every Data source I have used has an apprend or import cabaility, so not sure why it does not exits in SharePoint

That said I am realy thankful for the move to SharePoint and office 365 with PowerApps as for the first time IT cannot get in the way of innovation!

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