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"Unexpected token A in JSON at position 0" when creating a list from an Excel file in Sharepoint

Huang, Eric 21 Reputation points
2021-08-15T15:58:21.123+00:00

Error showed "Unexpected token A in JSON at position 0" when creating a list from an Excel file in Sharepoint, what does it mean and how to fix ?
Either edge browser or chrome are the same error.

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  1. Yi Lu_MSFT 17,476 Reputation points
    2021-08-20T10:02:20.153+00:00

    Hi @Huang, Eric
    Does the issue occur for all excel files?

    Please try following steps to create a simple excel file with table to compare the result:

    Use the existing file in this site named Book.xlsx:
    125061-image.png

    Format as Table after you open it.

    124996-image.png

    Then close it and click refresh.

    125033-image.png

    Click next and select the table to create the list.

    124959-image.png

    Then the list is created successfully.

    125023-image.png

    If the issue still exists, we recommend you create a new service request in Microsoft 365 admin center to check if there is something wrong on back-end side.

    125062-image.png

    If an Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

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  1. Andrew Hooper 6 Reputation points
    2021-08-20T00:40:53.36+00:00

    The only way I’ve been able to create a list lately is to build a list from blank, add columns, then switch to classic SharePoint experience and paste the data

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  2. Yi Lu_MSFT 17,476 Reputation points
    2021-08-16T06:46:56.73+00:00

    Hi @Huang, Eric
    Per my test, I create a list from excel file successfully and could not reproduce the issue.

    I would suggest you change another browser or use InPrivate window to check if the same issue will occur. At the same time, to better understand your situation and narrow down this issue, could you provide the information below?

    1. May I know if all SharePoint sites have the same issue? You could go to another site and create a new list from Excel file to check if the same issue will occur.
    2. May I know if the other colleagues have the same issue?

    If an Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  3. Huang, Eric 21 Reputation points
    2021-08-17T06:21:03.367+00:00

    Hi @Yi Lu_MSFT
    InProvite window, the issue still occured
    I tested in another sharepoint site, the issue was the same
    I'm asking my colleague to test if the same issue occur and will revert to you later

    May be the function would be having some limitation by my company's site strategy or administration rules, then it lead to the issue ?

  4. Rebecca R 11 Reputation points
    2021-10-25T18:13:43.387+00:00

    In case it helps anyone else, I got this error because I was using 'reserved' column field names that come as a default column in SharePoint lists - specifically Created By / Modified By that I'd exported from another list. Once I set those fields to "Do not import" in the column drop down, the import worked as expected. I also tested removing them in the Excel file before import and that worked as well.