Forum Discussion
SharePoint "Export to Excel" tab missing
I have the same problem (new to managing sharepoint)
I've had success (sort of, if you disregard it changing central time to pacific time) with a tiny test excel, but my goal is creating a list from an excel file on sharepoint that is updated daily. The excel file comes from a client (it's a work assignment list that goes out a couple of months). I manually copy the file (it comes as an email attachment) and past values into the existing sheet. When I do this it formats a date column (formatted as date) into the integer value for the date, only with a decimal point before the last 2 digits on the right.
So I thought I would experiment by exporting from the sharepoint excel file to list but also do not have the export option. I'm using Windows 10.
Permission settings confirm I have full control over this excel file.
I'm confused why List doesn't have more formatting options for numbers as well.
Why you don’t see Export to Excel
The “Export to Excel” option in SharePoint Online is only available for SharePoint Lists and Libraries (where items/documents are stored), not for Excel files themselves.
From what you described:
You have an Excel file uploaded to SharePoint.
You open it in the browser and expect to see “Export to Excel.”
That won’t work — because the file is already an Excel file, so SharePoint won’t give you that option. The button is only for exporting list or library data to Excel.
That’s why you don’t see the option, even though you’re on Windows 10 with full control permissions.
The date formatting problem
When you paste values into your existing Excel sheet, the dates turning into numbers with decimals (####.##) is happening because Excel is treating those as serial date values. For example:
45123 = January 1, 2023
45123.50 = Jan 1, 2023 at 12:00pm (the decimal = time fraction of the day).
So Excel isn’t “breaking” your data — it’s just showing raw numbers when formatting doesn’t match. If you reapply a Date format to that column, they’ll show as dates again.
How to achieve your real goal
You said your goal is:
“creating a list from an excel file on SharePoint that is updated daily.”
Here’s the recommended path:
1. Create a SharePoint List from Excel (one-time setup):
Go to your SharePoint site.
New → List → From Excel.
Upload your Excel file, map the columns, and SharePoint will create a real list.
2. Automate updates (instead of manually copy/paste):
Since you get the Excel file daily from a client:
Use Power Automate (Flow) to:
Trigger when a new file arrives (from email or folder).
Parse the Excel rows.
Update your SharePoint List automatically.
This way:
Your users can always view/export the list.
Date columns behave properly.
No manual pasting = fewer formatting headaches.
3. Formatting in SharePoint Lists:
You’re right — the number formatting options are limited in Lists. If you need more advanced reporting:
Connect the SharePoint List to Excel (via Data → Get Data → From Online Services → SharePoint Online List),
Or use Power BI for better formatting/visualization.
In short:
You don’t see “Export to Excel” because you’re working on an Excel file, not a SharePoint List.
To solve your problem, first convert your Excel into a SharePoint List, then automate updates with Power Automate.