A SharePoint list is simply a collection of data that has some kind of structure to it: it is essentially like a table, a spreadsheet or a simple database. It can include many different types of information including numbers, text and even images.
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A SharePoint list is like a table in SQL server database or an excel spreadsheet that will have columns or fields or properties. A list also can contain one or more attachments or files. On the other hand, SharePoint libraries are special types of lists that are created to store documents.
SharePoint provides three basic kinds of lists:
- Communications lists are used to track announcements, contacts, and discussion boards.
- Tracking lists are used to track information such as links, calendars, tasks, issues, and surveys.
Create a list on a classic SharePoint or a SharePoint Server 2019 site
- Select Settings.
- Select + New, and then select List.
- Enter a Name for the list, and optionally, a Description.
- Select Create.
- When your list opens, to add room for more types of information to the list, select + or + Add column.
The major advantage of SharePoint lists is that you can create many different views, where you can sort, filter or group by certain metadata fields. The views can be created by both Admin and End User.
With the modern list experience in SharePoint, you can:
- Pin documents, links, and filters to the top to highlight them.
- Easily add, reorder, resize, sort, filter, and group columns and create custom views.
- Improve the display of lists with column formatting and list view formatting.
A list without columns is like a table without columns in SQL server. Based on the data stored, SharePoint columns have several types. A column in SharePoint can be used to represent additional information about the list or the library items. Columns are called the attribute or the metadata for the list/library items.
That means you can add a maximum of 48 calculated columns (8 per row * 6 row maximum = 48) to a SharePoint list. Similar row wrapping limitations restrict you to 6 GUID columns per list and 94 Managed Metadata columns per list, though these are poorly documented.
In SharePoint 2016, you can create folders in libraries and lists.
Create folders in a list or a library
- Go to a library where you want to create a folder.
- Do one of the following:
- In the Create a folder dialog that opens, in the Name box, enter the name for the new folder, and then select Create.
How do you create a list?
Create a new list
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Keep app .
- Next to “Take a note,” tap New list .
- Add a title and items to your list.
- When you’re done, tap Back .
A SharePoint list is simply a collection of data that has some kind of structure to it: it is essentially like a table, a spreadsheet or a simple database. It can include many different types of information including numbers, text and even images.
You can store up to 30 million items or files in a list or library. Filtered views of large lists have a similar experience to other lists.
What is a list used for?
A list is any information displayed or organized in a logical or linear formation. Below is an example of a numerical list, often used to show a series of steps that need to be performed to accomplish something.
What is Microsoft list used for?
Microsoft Lists is a Microsoft 365 app that helps you track information and organize work. List are simple, smart, and flexible, so you can stay on top of what matters most to your team.
To see only the lists in your personal storage, select Recent lists > My lists. To see only the lists that you’ve created, select the All recent lists filter on the right, then select Recent lists I created. This shows you both the lists you’ve created in SharePoint or Teams, and the lists in your personal storage.
It is not a relational database. Each list is independent and SharePoint lists were never intended to be used as a relational database. While SharePoint does have a field type called Lookup, it does not serve as a true relational database.
What is the difference between site column and list column?
The only difference is that with site column it will be done automatically whereas with list column you will have to go through extra steps which involves among others, creating a new custom MP.
To modify a column, click the column in the list, click Modify, and then make the appropriate changes. Note: Some options for adding, removing, or modifying columns are available only when you publish to a SharePoint site.
Create a list from Microsoft Excel
- From within your SharePoint site, click the upper-right gear icon and select Site contents*
- At the top of the Site contents page, Click New > List.
- Click the From Excel tab.
- Enter a name for your new list.
How to increase lookup column limit in SharePoint lists
- Go to Central Admin.
- Click manage web apps.
- Select the web app for which you’re increasing the lookup limit.
- Click the drop-down arrow beneath “General Settings” –> “Resource Throttling”
- Change the list view lookup limit and save.
An indexed column in SharePoint is used to improve the performances of the list or library view loading. If your list contains thousand of records, and you often query (filter or sort) by a given column, you can index that column.