Import Excel files to create a new Smartsheet sheet.

Introduction: from Excel to Smartsheet, the clean handoff you actually need

Ever stare at a pile of Excel files and wonder how to turn that work into a living, collaborative dashboard? Smartsheet is built to bridge that gap. When you start a fresh sheet, the easiest path is often to import data from an Excel file you already trust. Why? Because Excel files usually hold neatly arranged rows and columns, with headers that act like signposts for your data. Smartsheet can recognize those markers and lay them out in its grid just the way you expect.

Here’s the bottom line, plain and simple: for creating a new sheet with data you already have, Excel wins the starting lineup. It’s the most natural match for Smartsheet’s grid-based world. But let’s unpack that a bit so you can move with confidence, not guesswork.

Why Excel is the natural starting point

Think about the way most teams structure data: a header row telling you what each column is, followed by rows of records. That’s basically the DNA of an Excel workbook. Smartsheet understands that language. When you import an Excel file, Smartsheet:

• Recognizes headers and maps them to columns automatically

• Preserves the general layout of your data

• Brings over common data types so you don’t have to retype or reformat everything

If you’ve worked in Excel for a while, you’ll notice how familiar Smartsheet feels once the import finishes. It’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about getting your existing data into a flexible, collaborative space quickly.

A quick reality check: other file types

Let’s be honest about the other options you might see in the wild. Here’s how they stack up when your goal is to create a new sheet from scratch data:

• CSV: Very common for data transfer. It’s plain text with comma separators, which makes it lightweight. You can import CSV into Smartsheet and get a new sheet, but you’ll rely on the first row to act as headers and you may need to tidy up formatting after import. It’s fine for simple lists, but Excel usually carries richer structure and formatting for a clean start.

• PDF: Great for read-only reports, but not for building a new, editable sheet. PDFs don’t carry the row-and-column structure Smartsheet expects, so this one isn’t a practical path for creating a new sheet from data.

• Text files: Similar story to CSV in terms of structure. They can work, but they’re less likely to carry clean headers and consistent delimiters without extra cleanup.

In the end, Excel is the smoothest, most predictable way to go from a data file to a live, collaborative Smartsheet sheet.

What happens during the import (the practical bits)

If you’ve ever imported data into a new tool and felt a twinge of uncertainty about what goes where, you’re not alone. Here’s what you can expect when you bring an Excel file into Smartsheet to create a new sheet:

• You’ll point Smartsheet to the Excel file and start the import process.

• Smartsheet studies the first row to identify headers. Those headers become column headers in the new sheet.

• Data beneath each header gets placed into the corresponding column. If Smartsheet detects date-looking values, it can set a date column type automatically. Numbers, text, and checkboxes often map in cleanly too.

• The result is a new sheet that mirrors your Excel layout with the added benefits of Smartsheet’s collaboration features—assignments, comments, attachments, and workflow automations.

If you’ve done a lot of data work in Excel, this feels almost frictionless. The goal is to preserve your structure while unlocking Smartsheet’s strengths—grouped views, task management, dependencies, and live teamwork.

Tips to keep the import painless (little habits that pay off)

No one wants to babysit an import. A few small prep steps ahead of time pay off big time:

• Clean up headers: Make sure the top row has simple, single-word headers without merged cells. Smartsheet likes clarity, and clean headers map to clean columns.

• Keep data tidy: Remove stray blank rows between records. If a row is truly empty, Smartsheet won’t try to guess what it should be.

• Consistent data types: Dates should look like dates, numbers should stay numeric, and text should stay text. Inconsistent formats can lead to mis-mapped columns or the need for post-import clean-up.

• No hidden tricks in cells: Avoid heavy formulas or multi-line cells in the first pass. You can tackle those after the sheet is created, once the structure is in place.

• Decide on headers early: If you’re importing multiple sheets, try to standardize header names across files. It makes cross-sheet references and automations much easier later.

A tiny example to anchor the idea

Imagine you’re bringing in a simple task list from a familiar Excel file. The first row has: Task Name, Owner, Due Date, Status, Priority. Smartsheet places these as column headers in the new sheet. The rows beneath fill in the tasks. You can immediately sort by due date, assign tasks to teammates, and set up reminders. The outcome feels almost instantaneous, yet the power behind it grows the moment you click a few automations or create a dashboard.

Good sense makes a good start: real-world patterns

People often use Smartsheet for everything from event planning to product launches. When those projects kick off with Excel data, you get a clean launchpad:

• Project task lists: Import a structured task matrix from Excel to establish the baseline. Add assignees, set dates, and create dependencies that keep teams in sync.

• Inventory checklists: Map stock items into Smartsheet columns and track quantities, reorder thresholds, and supplier info in one place.

• Campaign calendars: Bring in a calendar-style spread from Excel and instantly layer in owners, statuses, and creative briefs.

A few caveats to remember

No tool is perfect in every scenario, and awareness helps you avoid surprises:

• If your Excel file uses a lot of merged cells, you’ll likely want to flatten those before import. Merged cells can confuse the header mapping in Smartsheet.

• If your data has very long text fields or unusual symbols, take a quick pass to standardize them. It reduces formatting glitches after import.

• If you’re juggling multiple languages or locale-specific date formats, double-check that Smartsheet is interpreting dates the way you intend. A quick preview during import is worth a minute of your time.

A short note on the big idea

The core idea is simple: Excel files are the friendliest starting point for creating a new Smartsheet sheet. They carry the structure Smartsheet needs to map data quickly, with headers that guide every column. CSV is a reasonable backup, especially when you’re moving data between systems or working with very plain data. PDFs and plain text files, while useful for other purposes, don’t offer the same seamless route to a new, functional sheet in Smartsheet.

Bringing it all together: your little playbook

• Start with Excel for new sheets whenever you can. It’s the most reliable way to preserve structure and speed up setup.

• Clean headers and tidy data before import. It saves a ton of cleanup later.

• After import, explore the Smartsheet features you may not be using yet: automated reminders, dependencies, attachments, and dashboards. These tools are where the real productivity magic hides.

• When in doubt, test with a small sample first. A quick, low-stakes import helps you calibrate formatting and data types without pulling you into a bigger cleanup project.

A few thoughts to close with

Data work often feels like a blend of art and science. You want your information to be accurate, yes, but you also want it to be accessible to teammates who aren’t buried in spreadsheets all day. Smartsheet is built to help teams see the big picture while the details stay nicely organized under the hood. The Excel-to-SmartSheet path is a natural way to start that journey—quick, familiar, and surprisingly smooth once you’ve done it a couple of times.

If you’re starting a new Smartsheet project and you’ve got an Excel file in hand, you’re already on a smart path. A few mindful tweaks, and you’ll watch those rows and columns bloom into a collaborative, dynamic workspace where work gets done, and done well. Ready to import and see for yourself? Grab that Excel file, head to Smartsheet’s import flow, and let the structure do the heavy lifting while you focus on the work that matters.