Unable to import list values for lookup in document center site

I am trying to create a list in a document center site that will have more than one lookup field. However, when I try to create it, I am not given the choice of using an Excel spreadsheet. I would therefore have to manually enter all of the values. I am able to create it from the spreadsheet in the root site, but then cannot look up the values from the list in the document center site. Can anyone advise me on how to create a list for lookup purposes with imported values in a document center site?