You receive a "Cannot connect to server at this time. Your list cannot be published" error message when you import an Excel spreadsheet to use as a basis for a new list in Windows SharePoint Services (838703)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services

SUMMARY

This article describes an issue in Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services, where you receive a "Cannot connect to the server at this time. Your list cannot be published" error message when you create a new list in the Web site, and the list is based on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. You receive this error message when you try to import the Excel spreadsheet to Windows SharePoint Services to use for the new list. This article describes two methods that you can use to work around this problem.

SYMPTOMS

When you create a new list in your Windows SharePoint Services Web site, and you try to import an Excel spreadsheet to use as a basis for the new list, you may receive the following error message:
Cannot connect to the server at this time. Your list cannot be published.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because of an issue between Windows SharePoint Services and Excel that prevents the Excel spreadsheet from being imported correctly to Windows SharePoint Services when you create a new list. This problem may occur if the Web site is configured to use Anonymous access.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods, depending on your situation.

If your Web site is hosted by an ISP and Windows SharePoint Services uses Active Directory account creation mode

If your Web site is hosted by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and Windows SharePoint Services was installed by using Active Directory account creation mode, you experience the symptoms that are described in the "Symptoms" section when you try to create a list in a subsite. To work around this problem, create a new list that is based on the Excel workbook that is located in the root site, save the list as a list template, and then create the list that you want in the subsite from the new list template that you created. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. In the root site, create a new list that is based on the Excel workbook. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. On the home page of the root site, click Create.
    2. On the Create page, under Custom Lists, click Import Spreadsheet.
    3. Specify the options that you want, and then click Import.
    4. In the Import to Windows SharePoint Services list dialog box, click the range of cells that you want to use for your list, and then click Import.
    5. Specify the columns and the rows that you want to import, and then click Import.
  2. In the root site, save the new list that you created as a list template. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. In the root site, click Documents and Lists.
    2. Click the link to the list that you want to save as a template.
    3. Click Modify settings and columns.
    4. On the Customize ListName page, under General Settings, click Save list as template.
    5. In the File name box, type the file name that you want to use for the template file.
    6. In the Template title box, type the title that you want to use for the template.
    7. Click to select the Include content check box.
    8. Click OK.
  3. Connect to the subsite, and then create a new list that is based on the new list template that you created in step 2. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. Connect to the subsite, and then click Create.
    2. Click the template that you created in step 2.
    3. On the New List page, specify a name and a description for the list, and then click Create.

If Windows SharePoint Services does not use Active Directory account creation mode

If Windows SharePoint Services was not installed by using Active Directory account creation mode, you experience the symptoms that are described in the "Symptoms" section in the root site. To work around this problem, temporarily disable Anonymous access settings on the Web site, create a new list that is based on the Excel workbook that is located in the root site, save the list as a list template, create the list that you want from the new list template that you created, and then enable Anonymous access settings on the Web site. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Disable Anonymous access settings on the Web site in Windows SharePoint Services. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. On the home page of the root site, click Site Settings.
    2. On the Site Settings page, click Go to Site Administration.
    3. On the Top-level Site Administration page, under Users and Permissions, click Manage anonymous access.
    4. On the Change Anonymous Access Settings: SiteName page, in the Anonymous Access area, click Nothing.
    5. Click OK.
  2. Create a new list that is based on the Excel workbook. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. Click Create.
    2. On the Create page, under Custom Lists, click Import Spreadsheet.
    3. Specify the options that you want, and then click Import.
    4. In the Import to Windows SharePoint Services list dialog box, click the range of cells that you want to use for your list, and then click Import.
    5. Specify the columns and the rows that you want to import, and then click Import.
  3. Save the new list that you created as a list template. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. Click Documents and Lists.
    2. Click the list that you created in step 2.
    3. Click Modify settings and columns.
    4. On the Customize ListName page, under General Settings, click Save list as template.
    5. On the Save as Template: TemplateName page, in the File name box, type the file name that you want to use for the template file.
    6. In the Template title box, type the title that you want to use for the template.
    7. Click to select the Include content check box, and then click OK.
  4. Create a new list that is based on the new list template that you created in step 2. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. Click Create.
    2. Click the template that you created in step 3.
    3. On the New List page, specify a name and a description for the list, and then click Create.
  5. Configure Anonymous access settings on the Web site in Windows SharePoint Services. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. On the home page of the root site, click Site Settings.
    2. On the Site Settings page, click Go to Site Administration.
    3. On the Top-level Site Administration page, under Users and Permissions, click Manage anonymous access.
    4. On the Change Anonymous Access Settings: SiteName page, in the Anonymous Access area, click Entire Web site or click Lists and libraries, depending on your situation
    5. Click OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Windows SharePoint Services, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/sharepoint/default.mspx

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/27/2006
Keywords:kbprb kbtshoot kbImport kbnewfile kbWebServices kberrmsg kbpending KB838703 kbAudITPRO kbAudEndUser
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