SharePoint list cannot be displayed in Datasheet view

You receive The list cannot be displayed in Datasheet view for one or more of the following reasons: A datasheet component compatible with Windows SharePoint Services is not installed, your browser does not support ActiveX controls, or support for ActiveX controls is disabled error message when you trying to view SharePoint list in Datasheet view.

Possible Cause of Error:

1. A Microsoft Office 2003 Professional edition is not installed on the computer
2. ActiveX control settings may not be set properly in Internet Explorer
3. If you are using MS Office 2007, the Microsoft Office Access Web Datasheet Component and the Windows SharePoint Services Support components are not installed on your machine

Solutions:

Verify ActiveX Control Settings 

1. Launch IE browser
2. On Tools menu -> Internet options -> click on Security tab
3. If you SharePoint site has been already added to trusted sites zone in IE, use Trusted Sites tab 

   OR 

   If your SharePoint site not added as trusted site in IE, use Internet tab 

Note: The following screen shot assumes, you addressed SharePoint site as trusted site. 

1. Click on “Custom Level” under security level for this zone

   

2. Look for ActiveX controls and plug-ins; under this option please set the following settings:
3. Download signed ActiveX controls -> Prompt
4. Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins -> Enable
5. Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting -> Enable

    

6. Apply changes and close all browsers and restart.

Install Microsoft Office Access Web Datasheet Component and the Windows SharePoint Services Support components 

If you are using MS Office 2007, you have to make sure Web Datasheet Component installed with Office 2007 software. 

Start menu -> Control Panel -> Add Remove Programs

• Select MSOffice Professional 2007 plus -> click on “Change”
• Choose “Add or Remove Features”
• Expand Microsoft Office -> Next verify that you have both the Microsoft Office Access Web Datasheet Component and the Windows SharePoint Services Support component installed. If you didn’t see these two components, install it by using media.

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