Some of the users of SharePoint have reported an error while creating a list in Excel. They reported that they cannot create a list in Excel when working on SharePoint. When they try to create a list from an existing file that’s present on the SharePoint website, they get the following error:
Something went wrong. The file [xxxx] does not exist.
Possible reasons for the error of Cannot create list in Excel
- One of the most common reasons is that the default Document Library is deleted from SharePoint. In this case, you won’t be able to create a list from the targeted Excel sheet.
- Another reason could be that the file’s name is renamed from Documents to something else. In this case, also, you won’t be able to create a list in Excel and get the above error.
- Data type within the excel sheet can also be the cause of this error.
- In addition to data type, managed metadata or some look column can be the reason for you to not able to create a list in Excel.
Fix Excel error Cannot create List, The file does not exist
Depending on what could be the reason for this error, you can follow the next steps to resolve the error.
- If the default Document Library is deleted.
- If the default Document Library is renamed.
- The data type is the issue
- Managed metadata is the issue
Let us look at the solutions to these four cases.
1] Default Document Library is deleted.
If you are getting the error The file does not exist and are not able to create a list in Excel due to the deleted default Document Library, then follow the next steps:
- If the default Document Library is deleted and present in the recycle bin, then you can restore it. This way, you will get your Excel file back and you can create a list from that file.
- If the default Document Library is deleted and not present in the recycle bin as well, then you will need to create a new library with the name Documents.
2] The default Document Library is renamed
If the default Document Library name is renamed from Documents to something else, you can rename it back to Documents. For this:
- Go to Library Settings
- Now go to List name, Description, and Navigation
- Click on Name.
- Rename the file.
3] Data type is the issue
If data type (text, date, people picker, etc.) within the Excel sheet is the problem, then you will need to check the columns within the file. Try creating a new list from an existing list that uses common data types such as a single line of text, date, and people picker. If you succeed with that then find out what other data types you are using there which might cause some errors.
Read: Excel filter not working properly
4] Managed metadata is the issue
Once you have gone through all the columns within the Excel sheet and made sure that the data type is not an issue, then you can move on to file the root cause of the error. Find out whether the managed metadata or some look column is causing this error.
Is it possible to automatically update the SharePoint list from Excel?
This is possible using Power automate flow. You need to upload an excel file to SharePoint/OneDrive, then you can read the excel rows using Power automate and then update SharePoint list items.
How to create a list based on a spreadsheet in SharePoint 2010?
- From the Lists app in Microsoft 365, select +New list or from your site’s home page, select + New > List.
- In Microsoft Teams, from the Files tab at the top of your channel, select More > Open in SharePoint, and then select New > List.
- On the Create a listing page, select From Excel.
- Choose Upload file to select a file on your device, or Choose a file already on this site.
- Enter the name of your list.
- Now click on Create.
If you upload from your device, the Excel file will be added to the Site Assets library of your site, which means other people will have access to the original Excel data.
If the Upload file button is greyed out, you don’t have permission to create a list from a spreadsheet. For more information, see your organization’s site admin.
