We think our lists are better than Excel. They are online, collaborative and built for purpose. But we appreciate that Excel is a powerful tool, and can be quick to build out.
Our Excel importer allows you to set-up your list in Excel and transfer that into a Legatics list.
❗The Excel importer works for all languages including non-Latin alphabets (such as Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, etc).
🛑 Please note that you still need to number each line using Roman or Arabic numerals or the Latin letters A-Z, and the numeral needs to be at the beginning of each line.
Before you get started
⚠️ Keep in mind the following limitations
Import into free-text column only | Data can only be imported into free-text columns |
One Excel sheet per import | Only one Excel sheet can be imported at a time.
If your Excel file has multiple sheets, you'll need to do separate imports. |
Only .xlsx files are supported | Old Excel files like .xls won't work.
Follow these instructions to update your file to .xlsx |
Special characters and formatting will not import | We only recognise text, special characters and any formatting (eg bold and any bullets) will not import |
Sheets with more than 50 columns can't be imported | You can only import sheets that have fewer than 50 rows |
Sheets with more than 500 rows can't be imported | You can only import sheets that have fewer than 500 rows |
Your file can't contain cells with data validation. | If you try to import a file with validated cells, you'll get an error message that "the file contains more than 500 rows." |
🛠️ If further errors occur, try copying your checklist into a new, blank spreadsheet without formatting. For more details on pasting values without formatting, please visit this article.
How to use the Excel importer
Set up your checklist in Excel - or download our example Excel sheets to test out the feature.
✔️ If you merge a cell across the entire sheet, the importer will recognise it as a section
Create a list in Legatics - you can use one of our templates, a blank list or start from another list.
✔️ To directly import your Excel file (without setting up a Legatics list first), start from an empty list, and follow the instructions below to import your Excel sheet.
Click on 'Import' and select 'Excel'.
Drag and drop your Excel or click 'choose .xlsx file' to upload.
If your Excel file has multiple sheets, you can select which sheet you would like to import into your list.
You will only be able to import one sheet at a time.
Column headings: The system will identify the necessary column headings for your list. These can be edited by selecting 'Edit columns' or clicking the pencil icons beside each column heading.
Header row: Alternatively, choose which row in your table should be the header row.
Exclude rows: Exclude rows using the button under the 'Include' column.
Rows and sections: If a section has been incorrectly identified, use the 'Type' menu to turn it into a 'Row' and vice versa.
Sub-sections: Use the arrow button to turn a section into a sub-section.
Any changes you make can be undone using the 'undo' button. To reset the structure back to what Legatics initially displayed, click on 'reset'.
Once you are happy with the structure, click on 'Continue' (note that this will be "Import" if you start from a blank list).
Match the columns in your Excel file to the columns in your Legatics list. This will let you create a new column, if you want. Then press "Import" to import the data.
✔️ Your data will be imported into the bottom of your list
Your list can then be managed as any other in Legatics after importing - for example, you may want to apply permissions, add a file column or use the legal text importer to add additional rows.
If you have any further questions, please get in touch at support@legatics.com.