SharePoint excel files Vs SharePoint list

[Anonymous]

Hi All, 

I wanted to seek opinions on best pratice for using Sharepoint files. 

In my report, I need to use five different Sharepoint files from same SharePoint folder . I feel that it is slowing down the report and throwing strange error message . 

Please suggets what is the best practice. In cases where more than one SharePoint file needs to be used, is using sharePoint list better than using excels  ?

Thanks.

[ERD]

Hi @Anonymous ,

Are we talking abount SharePoint Online?

If so, have a look at this video: A cleaner way to import files from a SharePoint folder with a Power Query function.

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution ✔️to help the other members find it more quickly.

[edhans · Accepted solution]

SharePoint Lists are different than Excel. I prefer them for user data entry because you can lock down what the user can enter and they cannot override it accidentally. Even with Data Validatation users can just paste data and override your requirements.

But if it is something exported out of another system, I'm ok with XLSX (NOT XLS) because it is usually identical every single time - computer programs don't change output much. Even ugly output - once you get the M code right, it just works.