SharePoint Document Issues

Fix SharePoint List Export to Excel Missing Number Columns

Ayan Masood Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to resolve an issue where exporting a SharePoint list to Excel results in a memory error and the omission of specific number columns in the exported spreadsheet.

Fix SharePoint List Export to Excel Missing Number Columns

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting data from a SharePoint list directly to a Microsoft Excel file for analysis or backup.
Observed behavior: When opening the exported query file in Excel, a memory error appears. After dismissing it, the data loads but one or more number columns are completely missing from the spreadsheet.

Before you start

Before modifying list settings, try exporting the SharePoint list to a CSV file to confirm whether the missing data is still present in the list and can be extracted using an alternative format.

Solution 1Recommended

Rename Problematic Columns

Removing specific prefixes or special characters from column names often resolves query conflicts during the Excel export process.

Column names that begin with certain prefixes, such as 'No.', or contain unusual symbols can interfere with the web query used during the export. Renaming them allows Excel to parse the data correctly.

Access List Settings

Navigate to your SharePoint list, click the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings, and select 'List settings'.

Edit the Column Name

Scroll down to the 'Columns' section and click on the name of the missing number column.

Remove Special Characters

In the 'Column name' field, delete any special symbols or prefixes (like 'No.') and type a standard alphanumeric name.

Save and Re-export

Click 'OK' at the bottom of the page to save your changes, then return to the list view and attempt the Export to Excel again.

Quick Check: If the export succeeds without the memory error, the naming convention was the root cause of the missing column.

Solution 2

Refresh Column Metadata

Toggling a column's required status can refresh corrupted metadata that prevents the column from exporting.

Solution 3

Export List to CSV

Using the CSV export option bypasses the Excel query file format, often avoiding column omissions entirely.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Management

While SharePoint data export issues are native to the Microsoft ecosystem, you can easily open, manage, and analyze your exported CSV and Excel files using WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
2. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and click on 'File' followed by 'Open'.
3. Load Your SharePoint Export: Select the CSV or Excel file you exported from SharePoint to view and edit your complete list data.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) and CSV file formatsLightweight application that opens large data exports quickly without memory errorsFree to use with a familiar spreadsheet interface for seamless migration

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do columns starting with 'No.' fail to export from SharePoint to Excel?

Certain prefixes like 'No.' or special characters in column names can conflict with the web query protocol or Excel's internal data parsing during the export. This conflict often triggers a memory error and causes the specific column to be dropped from the final spreadsheet.

Does exporting to CSV behave differently than exporting to Excel in SharePoint?

Yes. Exporting to Excel creates a web query file (.iqy) that connects back to SharePoint, which relies heavily on list metadata. Exporting to CSV simply generates a static, comma-separated text file, bypassing metadata query issues and ensuring all visible data is extracted.

How do I temporarily hide a column in SharePoint to test the export?

In your modern SharePoint list view, click on the column header you wish to hide, select 'Column settings', and then click 'Hide this column'. Once hidden, you can attempt to export the list again to see if the error is isolated to that specific column.

Document & File Issues