I am looking for a solution to import and export data from a list to a list on another site (on another server). What I have been doing (since importing/exporting the entire site is not an option), is saving the lists as templates with content and importing it on the new site. The problem with this is it does not keep the created by/modified by fields (since obviously I am creating it when I create the list). I do have access to both the sql servers that are storing the date. Ideally I am looking for a solution that does not require additional third party software , as this server runs several live sites already. But I think right now any solution that works will do.

Not tried it but if you open both lists with Access you should be able to copy paste from one to the other. (Open with Access under Actions menu)

Thanks for the suggestion. I did try that, unfortunatly fields such as created by are read only, so all of the data is still created by me.

Hello DustG, There is no OOB solution (or command) to export/import all list content with retaining the metadata. Only site backup/restore retains the metadata which is definately not useful in your case. :( But the one which I aware about (and used) is metalogix tool. Its a third party tool which you need to install on any of the WFE server in the sharepoint farm. With use of this, we can copy all or partial site/subsite/list/library or its content along with the metadata. I am not sure if there is any freeware or trial version available. but I know there are few more tools which are similar to this; but if you are not the farm administrator but the end user then there is nothing much available for this. Hope this is helpful..!! Regards, Rohan

You can try Export / Import. I've done this with COntent Editor web parts but not lists. Note if you do not get Export option in the smart menu you'll have to edit page on Designer and replace false with true on <ExportControlledProperties>false</ExportControlledProperties> Edit: forgot to say export as .dwp not template.

Thanks Rohan, I checked and metalogix does have a 15 day free trial which I think I will look into. I am farm administrator so that is not an issue here. Dren did make an interesting point about copying the data with access. I am a little curious if anyone knows how to change "Created By" field from read only to editable while in access.

I am a little curious if anyone knows how to change "Created By" field from read only to editable while in access. Maybe add a temporary 'Date/Time' column to use until all items are edited. Remove it and continue using Created By column when all items are edited at least once.

I am a little curious if anyone knows how to change "Created By" field from read only to editable while in access. Maybe add a temporary 'Date/Time' column to use until all items are edited. Remove it and continue using Created By column when all items are edited at least once. Sorry I should have clarified. I want to edit the "Created By" column for each list item.

I found the answer to my problem. This was posted as a comment by a "Dan" on http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sowmyancs/archive/2008/03/14/can-we-update-the-values-of-created-by-modified-by-columns-in-sharepoint-lists.aspx?PageIndex=2 Ok, I've scoured the web for an easy way to do this without writing any code. Here's my solution: 1) Open the file (make a copy beforehand): C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\web server extensions\12\TEMPLATE\GLOBAL\XML\ONET.XML 2) Browse to the part where it says <BaseType Title="Generic List" (in my case, I needed to change the "created by" and "modified by" attributes of a list) 3) Scroll down a few lines to where it says FieldID and then "ColName="tp_Author" (created by) and also the linke "ColName="tp_Editor" (modified by) 4) Remove ReadOnly="TRUE" from the line 5) recycle the sharepoint IIS website and application pool 6) Now open your list in a datasheet list view where you've added the 2 columns "modified by" and "created by". These fields should now be editable with simple cut/paste, etc.. Hope this helps out some other frustrated sharepoint admins who are not trained developers! PS - don't forget to reset the attributes back to read only when you're done with the modifications...