Manually adding items in SharePoint one by one is time-consuming. That’s why today I will explain to you how to perform multiple item creation SharePoint list at once. Without wasting any time, let’s start quickly!
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Why I Needed to Add Multiple SharePoint Items at Once
During my recent SharePoint Tenant to Tenant migration, I had to populate a list with more than 200 records. Doing it manually is not practical as it takes more time, which I didn’t have. Therefore, I explored various approaches and luckily found some reliable ones, which are going to be discussed in the next sections.
Methods to Perform Multiple Item Creation SharePoint List at Once
Before moving to the solutions directly, first go through this infographic, which explains the necessary prerequisites:
Now, let’s move to the solutions with step-by-step instructions:
#Solution 1. Use Excel to Import Multiple Items
If you are creating a new SharePoint list, and your data is currently saved in Excel. Then, you can import Excel to SharePoint list by following these steps:
- Open SharePoint, and hit the List Settings option.
- Then, Create View.
- Afterwards, select the Datasheet View option or use Grid View in modern SharePoint.
- Now, copy and paste rows from Excel into the SharePoint list’s grid view.
This is the simplest and error-free method, as SharePoint allows you to import several Excel files into it concurrently.
#Solution 2. Quick Edit/Grid View for Manual Bulk Entry
Sometimes, I had to perform multiple item creation SharePoint list at once manually in the minimum time. To do so, I switched to Quick Edit/Edit in grid view and added items line by line.
#Solution 3. Power Automate
I followed this Microsoft guide to automate list updates with Power Automate when I have dynamic data sources like form submissions or other SharePoint lists:
My Flow Example:
- Trigger: New entries in a Microsoft Form.
- Action: Create new items in a SharePoint list using a loop.
#Solution 4. Multiple Item Creation SharePoint List at Once Via a PowerShell Script for Admins
PowerShell is perfect for mass item creation. I used a CSV file containing all item data. It allowed me to bulk upload structured items in seconds:
So, PowerShell require some scripting experience. If you’re looking for a no-code solution that handles bulk SharePoint content transfers, I suggest trying this dedicated SharePoint Online Migration Tool.
Best Practices I Follow
Even though we know the most appropriate solutions for multiple item creation, it is necessary to follow the best practices for a smoother experience:
- Always match column types.
- Test with a few records first before importing entire items.
- Backup SharePoint Online to local storage before changes.
- Use versioning and turn on audit logs if needed.
Author’s Verdict
Creating multiple items in a SharePoint list at once is not a complex process. I’ve saved time by choosing the right approach. I’m sure using the explained approaches, you can also easily perform multiple item creation SharePoint list at once.
People Also Ask
Q1. Can I bulk upload attachments with list items in SharePoint?
Yes, but not via Excel or Grid View. You’ll need Power Automate or PowerShell for attaching files
Q2. How many items can I import at once in SharePoint?
SharePoint Online supports large lists up to 30 million items, but for performance, avoid adding more than 5,000 items in a single import session.
Q3. Can I undo a bulk item creation?
Only if versioning is enabled or you’ve taken a backup. Otherwise, you’ll need to delete them manually or via script.