# Create Table via Import

> Part of the NocoDB documentation (Product docs > Tables > Table Operations > Set Up). Index of all pages: https://nocodb.com/llms.txt. Any docs page is available as Markdown by adding `.md` to its URL.

URL: https://nocodb.com/docs/product/tables/table-operations/create-table-via-import
Last updated: 2026-09-25

Learn how to create a table in NocoDB via import from CSV, Excel or JSON.

<AskNocoAI>
  <Prompt>
    Import the attached file as a new table called [Leads]
  </Prompt>

  <Prompt>
    Import the attached file and pick the right field type for each column
  </Prompt>

  <Prompt>
    Import the attached Excel file and use [Email] as the display value
  </Prompt>

  <Prompt>
    Import the attached JSON file as a new table
  </Prompt>
</AskNocoAI>

## Import table from CSV / Excel / JSON

### Accessing import modal

There are two ways to access import modal:

#### 1. From the base dashboard

<img alt="import data" src={__img0} placeholder="blur" />

<img alt="import from dashboard" src={__img1} placeholder="blur" />

#### 2. From the base context menu

<img alt="import from sidebar" src={__img2} placeholder="blur" />

### Importing file

To import a file, follow the steps below:

1. There are two ways to upload source file:
   * **Upload** : Upload from local directory. Either click 'browse file' or drag and drop file.
   * **Add from URL** : Specify the URL of the file.
2. (*optional*) Select character encoding. By default, it is set to `UTF-8`.
3. (*optional*) Configure [Advance Settings](#advanced-settings)
4. Click on `Import` button.
5. (*optional*) Specify the table name. By default, the file name will be used as the table name.
6. (*optional*) Select the columns from the CSV to be included in the table. By default, all fields are included.
7. (*optional*) Modify the field name. By default, the field name is the same as the column name in the CSV.
8. Click on `Import` button to start importing the file.

<img alt="import data" src={__img3} placeholder="blur" />
<img alt="import data" src={__img4} placeholder="blur" />

Additional notes

* Multiple files can be imported at once.
* Supported file formats: CSV, Excel, JSON
* Maximum file size: 5 MB
* All fields are imported by default as `Single line text`. Field type as required can be changed after file is imported.
* By default, the first field will be chosen as Display Value.

### Excluding sheets from a multi-sheet Excel workbook

When you import an Excel workbook that contains more than one sheet, each sheet shows a checkbox next to its name so you can exclude individual sheets from the import. The checkbox appears only when the workbook has more than one sheet; single-sheet Excel files, CSV, and JSON never show it.

Uncheck a sheet to leave it out. An excluded sheet is labelled **Won't be imported** and its fields are ignored.

At least one sheet must remain included, and every included sheet that creates a new table must keep at least one field selected. The `Import` button stays disabled until both conditions are met.

The same per-sheet checkbox is also available when you [upload data into an existing table](/docs/product/tables/table-operations/import-data-into-existing-table).

{/* SCREENSHOT NEEDED: multi-sheet Excel import modal with one sheet checkbox unchecked, showing the "Won't be imported" label */}

### Advanced Settings

* **Use first record as header**: Enabled by default. If selected, the first record in the spreadsheet will be treated as the header record and its contents will be used as field names.
* **Import data**: Enabled by default. If selected, all data will be imported; otherwise, only the table will be created.

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## Related pages

- [Create Table](https://nocodb.com/docs/product/tables/table-operations/create-table.md): Learn how to create a table in NocoDB.
- [Upload Data into a Table](https://nocodb.com/docs/product/tables/table-operations/import-data-into-existing-table.md): Learn how to upload data into an existing table in NocoDB.
- [Actions on Table](https://nocodb.com/docs/product/tables/table-operations/actions-on-table.md): Learn how to rename, duplicate, and delete a table in NocoDB.
- [Table Tools](https://nocodb.com/docs/product/tables/table-operations/table-details.md): Manage fields, relations, permissions, webhooks and other table tools from one panel