SharePoint List – “Edit in Datasheet” issue

This one was a pain in the butt.

Helping a friend out with their SharePoint stuff, I was getting an error when I tried to open a list with “Edit in Datasheet”.

This was really ticking me off. They are new to SharePoint and I am showing them how easy it can be to do bulk editing of a list.

I had a brand new installation of Windows 7 Ultimate with a new installation of Office 2010 Pro Plus.

Well, the issue seems to have been the 64bit question. I had installed the 64bit version of Office (Win 7 was 64bit, so I put 64bit everything else on their PC), and apparently there are issues.

I found these articles (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2266203 ; http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint-foundation-help/use-datasheet-view-in-64-bit-office-2010-HA101882420.aspx ) which pointed me to this download (http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=23734 )

My friend downloaded, installed and next thing you know it worked!

I am not exactly why on some of my other machines I have not had to download this; I can only assume that I had other developer and SQL stuff installed that included the needed drivers.

Regardless, my SharePoint newbies can now use their lists like an Excel sheet.

It’s nice when things work like they are supposed to.

Enjoy,

Tim