How to Efficiently Process Large CSV Files in SharePoint with PnP PowerShell Batch Functionality

Learn how to implement batch processing in `PnP PowerShell` to efficiently upload large CSV data into SharePoint lists.
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Efficiently Process Large CSV Files in SharePoint with PnP PowerShell Batch Functionality

Working with large datasets can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to uploading or processing them in platforms like SharePoint. One common scenario is when you have a CSV file with thousands of entries that you need to import into a SharePoint list. Doing this in one go can lead to timeouts and errors. Luckily, PnP PowerShell provides a solution by allowing you to process data in manageable batches. In this post, we'll walk you through how to do just that.

Understanding the Problem

As with any large data operation, trying to upload 10,000 items at once to SharePoint can overwhelm the system, leading to performance issues or failures due to limits on the number of items processed at a time. The challenge is to break down that massive file into smaller, more manageable chunks—specifically batches of a maximum of 1,000 items each.

The Solution: Implementing Batch Processing in PnP PowerShell

To achieve this, we will use a simple script that reads a CSV file and processes the data in batches. Below, you'll find an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide with corresponding code snippets.

Step 1: Importing the CSV File

First, you'll need to import the data from your CSV into a variable. You can do this using the Import-Csv cmdlet:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Make sure to replace <your input Csv file> with the actual path to your CSV file.

Step 2: Looping Through the Data in Batches

Next, you want to set up a loop that will process the data in batches of up to 1,000 items. The following code will help you set up that loop:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Performing Actions on Each Item

Inside the inner loop (where it states - Perform your PnP action here...), you will call the specific PnP PowerShell command that you need to execute on each item. For instance, if you're adding list items:

Use the appropriate PnP command to create a new list item.

Ensure you reference the current item's data correctly using $data[$index + $counter].

Conclusion

By breaking down your data import into batches of 1,000 items, you can significantly improve the efficiency and reliability of your operations within SharePoint. This batch processing method helps avoid timeouts and errors, making the entire process smoother for large datasets.

Whether you are an IT professional working with SharePoint or a developer looking to automate tasks, mastering PnP PowerShell is an invaluable skill. Now that you have the basic framework for batch processing, you can easily customize it to fit your specific needs.

With PnP PowerShell, handling large files is not just a dream but an achievable reality. Happy scripting!