Import Excel Sheets into SharePoint: Simple Steps

Importing Excel spreadsheets into SharePoint can significantly streamline your data management and collaboration processes. Whether you're handling project management, team tasks, or comprehensive data analysis, integrating Excel into SharePoint libraries offers powerful functionality. Here's how to bring your Excel data into SharePoint effectively.

Preparing Your Excel Workbook

Before importing, ensure your Excel spreadsheet is structured appropriately:

• Use structured headers for each column to ensure data is imported correctly.
• Remove any complex formulas that might not translate well into SharePoint lists or libraries.
• Check for any data validation rules or conditional formatting, as these might need to be reapplied post-import.

Uploading to SharePoint

To upload your Excel file:

1. Navigate to the desired SharePoint site or library where you want to import your data.
2. Click on 'Upload', then choose 'Files' from the dropdown menu.
3. Select the Excel file you wish to upload. Ensure you're selecting a .xlsx file for better compatibility.

Converting Excel File to SharePoint List

Once uploaded:

1. Open the Excel file from SharePoint. You'll see options to either edit in Excel or open in Excel Online.
2. Select 'Open in Excel' for more control over the import process.
3. In Excel, go to the 'Data' tab, and click 'From Table'. This action will give you options to convert your data into a table, which can then be exported to SharePoint.
4. Click on 'Export to SharePoint List'.
5. Input the URL of your SharePoint site and the library where you want the list to be created.
6. Review the mapping of your Excel columns to SharePoint fields, then hit 'Finish' to complete the import.

Post-Import Adjustments

After importing, you might need to:

• Adjust column types, as SharePoint might not recognize certain Excel data types correctly.
• Create necessary views or custom forms for better usability.
• Ensure permissions are set correctly if you're sharing sensitive data.

🔍 Note: If your Excel file has embedded objects like charts or images, these will not be imported into the SharePoint list but will remain in the document library.

💡 Note: Regularly syncing your Excel spreadsheet with your SharePoint list might be necessary if you frequently update data in the Excel file. Use the 'Export to SharePoint List' feature in Excel periodically for this.

By following these steps, you've successfully imported an Excel spreadsheet into SharePoint, enhancing your ability to manage, share, and collaborate on data. This integration allows for real-time updates, better organization, and seamless collaboration across teams. As you've learned, preparing your Excel data, managing the upload, converting it to a SharePoint list, and making post-import adjustments are all crucial to leveraging SharePoint's capabilities fully.

Can I import complex Excel spreadsheets with multiple tabs into SharePoint?

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Yes, you can import spreadsheets with multiple tabs. Each tab will be imported as a separate list. You’ll need to repeat the import process for each tab you want to convert into a SharePoint list.

What happens to Excel formulas when they are imported into SharePoint?

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Formulas from Excel are not directly imported into SharePoint lists. You would need to recreate them as calculated columns in SharePoint or consider maintaining the Excel file linked with SharePoint for formula preservation.

How do I update my SharePoint list with new data from Excel?

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You can either manually update the list by adding or editing entries, or you can use the ‘Export to SharePoint List’ feature in Excel to overwrite or update the existing SharePoint list data.