Create a SharePoint List from an Excel

From my point of view, one of the most difficult things to do on SharePoint is to know which out-of-the-box features exist and mapping them to client requirements for the sake of not reinventing the wheel.

For example, imagine that your client wants to create a button to upload an Excel to create and populate a SharePoint list.

Well, that functionality already exists.

Open your Excel (i'm using 2007) and create some data:

Now, select those cells and click on the ribbon, tab Home, option Format as Table, and chose a layout for your table.

A windows will open. Select the My table as headers option.

Now with your table formatted, go to Ribbon, Design tab and click the arrow bellow the Export option. Chose the Export to a SharePoint list option.

Fill in the necessary information and click next.

If need, give your credentials for accessing the site. Check the Data Types for your columns and if all is well click Finish.

Now navigate to your site. You should have a new list created, which the default view is a Data Sheet View (unless your browser doesn't support ActiveX controls, in that case a standard view will be presented).

Good Luck ;)