Data Import & Export

Fix SharePoint List Export Showing Generic Field Names in Excel

Bushra Parveen Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users exporting a SharePoint list to Excel experience an issue where specific column headers are replaced by generic names such as Field_23 or Field_24.

How to Fix SharePoint List Export Showing Generic Field Names in Excel

Product: SharePoint / Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting list data from SharePoint to a spreadsheet for reporting and data analysis.
Observed behavior: Instead of showing the correct display names (e.g., Shipping Start, Shipping End), the exported spreadsheet displays internal generic field names.

Before you start

Ensure you have the appropriate site permissions in SharePoint to view list settings and verify the internal names of your columns.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify List Schema and Compare Export Methods

Check the internal column names in SharePoint and test alternative export methods like Power Query to isolate the issue.

SharePoint columns have both a display name and an internal name. When exporting, Excel sometimes retrieves the internal name if the list schema is corrupted or if specific export query files (.iqy) are used.

Check Internal Column Names

Navigate to your SharePoint list, click the Settings gear icon, and select 'List settings'. Scroll to the Columns section, click on the affected columns, and check the URL in your browser to see the internal 'Field' name.

Test Power Query Export

Open Excel, go to the 'Data' tab on the ribbon, and select 'Get Data' > 'From Online Services' > 'From SharePoint Online List'. Connect to your site and check if the headers display correctly in the Power Query editor.

Test IQY Export

Go back to SharePoint and use the standard 'Export to Excel' button to generate a query.iqy or data.iqy file. Open this file in Excel to see if the generic names persist compared to the Power Query method.

Verify List Schema and Compare Export Methods

Test Multiple Lists: Try exporting a completely different SharePoint list to determine whether this header issue is isolated to a single corrupted list or affects your entire SharePoint environment.

Solution 2

Report List Schema Issues to Microsoft Support

If generic names persist across all export methods, the backend list schema may require advanced troubleshooting from Microsoft.

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1. Download the Software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
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3. Open Your Data: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and easily open your exported SharePoint .csv or .xlsx files to manage your data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do SharePoint columns appear as Field_1 or Field_23 in Excel?

This happens when the export process pulls the internal system name of the SharePoint column instead of its user-friendly display name. This is common with heavily modified list schemas or custom-created columns.

What is the difference between query.iqy and data.iqy files?

An .iqy file is a Web Query file used by Excel. Query.iqy typically pulls a specific custom view from your SharePoint list, while data.iqy might represent a standard raw data export. Both require internet connectivity to fetch live data.

Can I manually fix the generic header names in Excel?

Yes. If you use the 'Get Data' (Power Query) method in Excel to connect to SharePoint, you can manually rename the column headers in the Power Query Editor. These corrected names will be saved and applied automatically every time you refresh the data.

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