Update: List Bulk Import is now available from the Bamboo Solutions storefront.

Many organizations today are realizing the benefit of using SharePoint as a collaboration and communication tool for their internal and external customers. As with many other enterprise-wide systems, it takes time for users to adapt to using this kind of tool on a daily basis. Allowing users to access their existing data from SharePoint as soon as possible after implementation allows end users to get up and running quickly and easily. List Bulk Import allows you to focus on designing the best way to use SharePoint for your business rather than worrying about migrating your existing data.

With its friendly user interface, List Bulk Import allows users to easily migrate documents, pictures, and list data into SharePoint from: legacy databases; spreadsheets; SharePoint to SharePoint Server; Office 365; Claims-based and Forms-based Authentication environments; and/or any SharePoint document management application with large volumes of data and/or documents that need to be widely accessed. List Bulk Import allows you to retain valuable index information when importing to SharePoint, while eliminating the need for data re-entry. The import program has the option of running in the background, allowing users to continue to work while the application uploads documents and other data to SharePoint.

In the latest release, version 2.5, a wealth of new features and capabilities have been introduced to List Bulk Import. In this series of articles, we will provide an in-depth look into the new features and how they work. In part one of the series, we will provide a high-level list of the new features with links to subsequent articles.

First let’s talk about the user interface.  In the past, the UI was somewhat bland without much color and was difficult to navigate at times. With Release 2.5, we have reinvigorated List Bulk Import, providing:

• Some color (green since we are a “Bamboo” company). 

For comparison, this was the look in version 2.0:

And here’s version 2.5:

• Here’s a look at the new navigation controls (landing page and menus):

• The improved column value mapping control:

• And improved scheduling for unattended imports:

We also made List Bulk Import more robust with an extended list of authentication support. We now support:

• SharePoint 2007
  • Windows
  • Forms (Forms-based Authentication)
• SharePoint 2010
  • Windows (Classic Mode)
  • Windows (Claims-based)
  • Forms-based Authentication
• And last but not least (we are really proud of this one), SharePoint Online!:

List Bulk Import can now fully preserve your archival information, with the ability to update the following fields with any source:

• Created
• Created By
• Modified
• Modified By

Looking for a walk through from start to finish? See this post: How to Import an Excel File with List Bulk Import 2.5.

If you’re ready to give release 2.5 of List Bulk Import a try, it’s available in Bamboo Labs as a free download today! With this Beta version, there is a 15-item limit, and the trial is good for 30 days. If you like what you see, you can purchase a license key from the storefront to fully activate the product and circumvent the 15-item limit. (Existing List Bulk Import customer may, of course, choose to simply apply their license key to this new version.) Please note that this Labs version of the product is still in Beta and we ask for your patience if you experience any issues. To report any problems you may encounter, please go to the List Bulk Import 2.5 forum and post your feedback there.

Happy importing!

Read the entire series celebrating the release to Bamboo Labs of List Bulk Import 2.5:

• Introduction to List Bulk Import 2.5: New in Bamboo Labs!
• How to Update Read-only Fields in SharePoint Lists with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Import Data to SharePoint Online (Office 365) with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Import Data Using Forms-based Authentication (FBA) with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Import an Excel File to a SharePoint List with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Replicate Data from a Network File Directory in a SharePoint Document Library with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Create Scheduled Imports with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Import Data from SQL Server to SharePoint with List Bulk Import 2.5