Importing from Excel works one way, but not another?

jmhoward

Hi there,

I am trying to create a new sheet from Excel data. If I create the sheet and then go into the sheet and click File>Import>Import from Microsoft Excel, I can pull the data in, but when I leave the sheet, everything is gone. When I import the data, I follow all the usual import steps, but the Save option is grayed out.

However, in the workspace, if I click Create and then Import from Microsoft Excel, the process works just fine and the data saves.

Does this mean that the File>Import>Import from Microsoft Excel is only for adding data to a sheet that already has a structure (column headers, primary column set)?

Thank you!

Genevieve P.

Hi @jmhoward

To clarify, when you import data from Excel directly within the App, it will always create a new sheet. That means if you're in a sheet when you click Import, it will bring in the data to an entirely new sheet.

If you then leave Smartsheet and come back to the original, blank sheet you were on when you selected "Import", it will still be blank because data isn't mapped into that sheet. Does that make sense?

See: Import Files to Create New Sheets

Look for a new sheet with the same name as your file and you should find your data there! 🙂

Cheers,

Genevieve

Colleen Patterson

@jmhoward

I find that the sheet will pull in as expected, but I need to enter data into at least 1 cell, in order for things to save / be accessible later. As soon as you do it, you would find the sheet to be accessible / findable in the search.

Andrée Starå

Hi @jmhoward

I hope you're well and safe!

Strange!

If you haven’t already, I recommend submitting a support ticket through the new Smartsheet Support Portal.

I hope that helps!

Be safe, and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Genevieve P.

Hi @jmhoward

To clarify, when you import data from Excel directly within the App, it will always create a new sheet. That means if you're in a sheet when you click Import, it will bring in the data to an entirely new sheet.

If you then leave Smartsheet and come back to the original, blank sheet you were on when you selected "Import", it will still be blank because data isn't mapped into that sheet. Does that make sense?

See: Import Files to Create New Sheets

Look for a new sheet with the same name as your file and you should find your data there! 🙂

Cheers,

Genevieve