Create External List in SharePoint 2013

Introduction
 
In this article you will see how to create an External List in SharePoint 2013. An External List is used to expose the external data in SharePoint 2013. External Lists are created using the BCS external Content Types. These lists expose the external data which looks similar to a normal SharePoint list. CRUD (create, read, update and delete) operations can be performed on external data in the external list itself and it will be automatically reflected in the external system. Please refer to the following URL to create an External Content Type:

http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/UploadFile/anavijai/create-external-content-type-using-sharepoint-designer-2013/.

Create External List
 
The following steps have to be followed to create an External List through UI:

1. Navigate to the SharePoint 2013 team site.
2. Click on "Site Contents" in the quick launch bar.
3. Click on "add an app".
   
   
   Figure 1:  Site Contents
    
4. Click on "External List".
   
   
   
   Figure 2:  External List
    
5. Enter the Name for the external list as shown in Figure 3.
   
   
   
   Figure 3:  Create External List
    
6. Click on "External Content Type Picker" as shown in Figure 3.
7. Select the external content type and then click on "Ok".
   
   
   
   Figure 4:  External Content Type Picker
    
8. Click on "Create".
9. An external list is created successfully and you will be able to see the external data as shown in Figure 5.
   
   
   
   Figure 5:  External Data

Summary
 
Thus in this article you have seen how to create an external list in SharePoint 2013.