Datasheet View for Lists and Libraries and 64 Bit Office 2010
The datasheet view is a convenient and compact way to view and edit lists and libraries (properties). You can find it next to the default (Standard) view under the List or Library tab and any row you edit will sync back to Sharepoint once you move to a different row. Under the hood (and also obvious on the top left of the sheet), Access data engine powers this feature. You can even use traditional tricks like the drag and fill you used to do in Excel (assuming the rows are similar in content type). Notice that some fields are read only and those can’t be edited, in addition to some other types like managed metadata which are incompatible with the sheet view.
However, if you already installed the 64 bit of MS Office 2010, the latest and greatest, you’ll be surprised that Datasheet view generates an error.
“The list cannot be displayed in Datasheet view for one or more of the following reasons:
- A datasheet component compatible with Microsoft SharePoint Foundation is not installed.
- Your Web browser does not support ActiveX controls.
- A component is not properly configured for 32-bit or 64-bit support.”
The options are to either install the 32 Bit version or download the 2007 driver: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=7554F536-8C28-4598-9B72-EF94E038C891&displaylang=en This fix should work in general (it may kick native Access files back to 2007 version).
There is also a MS KB article on this issue at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2266203
It is also worth mentioning that 64 bit browsers will not work and you should install all office 2010 64 bit components before you apply the fix (this includes SharePoint Designer 2010 as well!).
In fact, the driver may be enough to get the datasheet even if office is not installed on the client.
