Cut-Paste from Excel to SharePoint list in datasheet view does not function

Question

I've created hundreds of SharePoint lists, been an SCA for numerous collections, but this issue is driving me a little batty.  Using SharePoint 2013 from Office 365, I am not able to paste a row of cells from Excel into a DataSheet view of a list (before you ask, yes the cell types and values line up perfectly).  Within SharePoint, I can copy/paste to/from DataSheet view to DataSheet view, but cannot bring anything external in.  I've tried using the Import Spreadsheet app, but it's getting blocked form Chrome/Firefox, and creating an error using IE so that's a no go as well.  The only cut/paste option that appears to work from Excel is using the F2 command to edit one cell value at a time.

I don't usually post unless I'm fresh out of options and the idea of hand jamming in hundreds/thousands of records is not as exciting as it might sound.  Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Answer 1

Cliff, I appreciate your suggestions but I have to direct you to my initial post where I mentioned that I've been an SCA for numerous site collections.  I am very familiar with the basic steps to cut/paste data from Excel into a list in Datasheet view.

Troubleshooting

I further trouble shot this issue by getting my hands on a second windows machine with less restrictive admin settings.  Both machines are running Win10 & Internet Explorer 11.  On the machine where the issue presented, the Custom Security Level for this zone (Internet Options > Security > Internet > Custom Level, see picture below) is set for me by the sys admins and locked from any edits.  This machine cannot cut/paste from an outside source.  The other machine I tested has those settings unlocked and the cut/paste feature works as its supposed to from Excel to SharePoint.

Conclusion

If you run into this problem, test your site collection on a wide open Win10 machine where you have full admin rights.  In my case, it was the settings in IE11 that were the root cause of this problem.  I don't claim to be an IE expert, but after comparing the settings, this was the only difference between the two machines.  I hope this information helps stop someone from pulling their hair out due to this frustrating issue in the future!

Answer 2

Hi SharePoint Clown,

It seems that the issue you have encountered is that you can’t copy and paste a row of cells from Excel to a DataSheet view of a list. If yes, I suggest you try the following to see the outcome.

a. Navigate to a SharePoint site via IE.

b. Open the Excel file and click Ctrl+C to copy the entire row.

c. Select the row in the DataSheet view mode like the following method.

 

d. Click Ctrl+V to paste the row.

If something is misunderstood, please provide us with the detailed information about your requirement and some screenshots related to the symptom of the issue you are experiencing.

Thanks,

Cliff

Answer 3

Thank you for your response Cliff.  As noted in my initial post, I am well versed in the steps needed to complete this task.  The difference in this instance is when you attempt to paste data into the list, nothing pastes.  Looking at Excel, the columns have been copied and can be pasted in other parts of excel, however they will not paste into my SharePoint list.  In SharePoint, I can copy/paste from the list to itself.  But when data is copied from another list or from Excel, nothing pastes in.  I'm looking for someone that's experienced this unique problem and was able to find a work around.

Supporting Screen Shot:

All columns are Single line of text.  You can type Ctrl+V till your fingers fall off, nothing happens.  You may select one row or one column with the same results.

Answer 4

I just heard off line from a few SharePoint sys admins that say this is a known issue with SharePoint 2013.  Does anyone have an MS Bulletin on the issue?  Can anyone from Microsoft confirm/deny that this is a known issue?  If so, is there a fix in progress or is this an intentionally removed functionality?

Answer 5

Hi SharePointClown,

From your screenshot, I noticed that you don’t select the entire row of the SharePoint list. Please select the entire row and then c lick Ctrl+V to paste the row.

 

I suggest you copy and paste the row with IE. You can also do a test in a new site to check the outcome.

Thanks,

Cliff