# 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: 2026-10-03

Create a table in NocoDB by importing a CSV, Excel, or JSON file.

<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

You can open the import modal in two ways:

#### 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:

1. Add the source file in one of two ways:
   * **Upload** : Upload a file from a local directory. Click 'browse file', or drag and drop the file.
   * **Add from URL** : Enter the URL of the file.
2. (*optional*) Select the character encoding. The default is `UTF-8`.
3. (*optional*) Set the [Advanced Settings](#advanced-settings).
4. Click `Import`.
5. (*optional*) Enter the table name. By default, the table name is the file name.
6. (*optional*) Select the columns from the CSV to include in the table. By default, all fields are included.
7. (*optional*) Change the field names. By default, each field name is the same as the column name in the CSV.
8. Click `Import`. The import starts.

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

Additional notes

* You can import many files at one time.
* Supported file formats: CSV, Excel, JSON
* Maximum file size: 5 MB
* By default, NocoDB imports all fields as `Single line text`. You can change the field types after the import.
* By default, the first field is the Display Value.

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

When you import an Excel workbook with more than one sheet, each sheet has a checkbox next to its name. Use the checkbox to exclude a sheet from the import. Single-sheet Excel files, CSV files, and JSON files do not show the checkbox.

To leave a sheet out, clear its checkbox. The excluded sheet shows the label **Won't be imported**, and NocoDB ignores its fields.

The `Import` button stays disabled until both of these conditions are true:

* At least one sheet is included.
* Each included sheet that creates a new table has at least one field selected.

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

| Setting                        | Default | If selected                                                                                         | If not selected                |
| ------------------------------ | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| **Use first record as header** | Enabled | NocoDB uses the first record in the spreadsheet as the header. Its contents become the field names. |                                |
| **Import data**                | Enabled | NocoDB imports all data.                                                                            | NocoDB creates only the table. |

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## Related pages

- [Create Table](https://nocodb.com/docs/product/tables/table-operations/create-table.md): Create a table in NocoDB from scratch or with NocoAI.
- [Upload Data into a Table](https://nocodb.com/docs/product/tables/table-operations/import-data-into-existing-table.md): Upload data from a CSV or Excel file into an existing NocoDB table.
- [Actions on Table](https://nocodb.com/docs/product/tables/table-operations/actions-on-table.md): Rename, duplicate, delete, and describe a table in NocoDB, change its icon, and find its table ID.
- [Table Tools](https://nocodb.com/docs/product/tables/table-operations/table-details.md): Use the Tools panel in NocoDB to manage fields, relations, permissions, webhooks, and other table tools from one place.