I want to delete all the list items from the list. Is there any way to do that. I know it can be done by code. Can some one guide me how to do that. I dont want to delete the whole list and create a new one. So please guide me. Thanks

you don't need to write code to do this, just switch to explorer view and delete all from the library tab you should have an option called "Open with Explorer" try using that option to clear out all items Microsoft Certified Master | SharePoint 2007 Blog

Its not an document library. It is an sharepoint list.

oops dint pay attention it was pre-sharepoint 2010 and custom list Microsoft Certified Master | SharePoint 2007 Blog

I know that, but I want to delete all of the list items. They are in thousands.

You can select all, and it would take a while, but the datasheet view would work. You mentioned that you don't want to delete the list, but have you considered trying this? Save the list as a template without content. Then use the blank template to create a new one. That way you wouldn't have to recreate all the columns.Laura Rogers, MCSE, MCTS SharePoint911: SharePoint Consulting Blog: http://www.sharepoint911.com/blogs/laura Twitter: WonderLaura Beginning SharePoint 2010: Building Business Solutions with SharePoint

You could also try deleting those items using Access, add a linked table and use SharePoint List as data source (Option is under "External Data") Microsoft Certified Master | SharePoint 2007 Blog

Use this code protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e) { SPSite site = new SPSite([Sharepoint Server]); SPWeb web = site.OpenWeb(); web.AllowUnsafeUpdates = true; SPList list = web.Lists[List Name]; deleteAllRerecords(list); web.Update(); } public void deleteAllRerecords(SPList list) { SPListItemCollection items = list.Items; for (int i = items.Count - 1; i >= 0; i--) { items[i].Delete(); } }

Hi ... Is there some more effective way how to do it ... I have a list with thousands of items ... and this way delete proximately one per second :(( So Is there another way how to do it in C# code ?? I was thinking about saving template, then delete list and recreate it from template.. It is possible ??? does somebody did it already to save me some time. I would be nice Christmas present J Thanks

This is the best method to delete all items from the list: StringBuilder sbDelete = new StringBuilder(); sbDelete.Append("<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?><Batch>"); sbDelete.Append("<Batch>"); string command = "<Method><SetList Scope=\"Request\">" + spList.ID + "</SetList>"; command +="<SetVar Name=\"ID\">{0}</SetVar><SetVar Name=\"Cmd\">Delete</SetVar></Method>"; foreach (SPListItem item in spList.Items) { sbDelete.Append(string.Format(command, item.ID.ToString())); } sbDelete.Append("</Batch>"); spWeb.ProcessBatchData(sbDelete.ToString()); Please visit for more details: http://nileshmandekar.blogspot.com