By configuring a linked server in SQL server, you can retrieve data from many external data sources such as MS Access, Excel, or other database types.
To populate Enterprise PDM lists with data contained in an Excel workbook, you would have to first configure an Excel data source as a linked server in SQL Server, then query the linked server for desired information.
For more information on linked servers and distributed queries, please consult the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306397
Excel must be installed on the server that has the SQL server installed.
To configure an Excel data source as a linked server in SQL Server 2005:
You can use the above SQL Query in an Enterprise PDM list with a data type "From SQL Database" and set it to refresh every X minutes to retrieve the PartNumbers from the Excel file into Enterprise PDM.
You must enter a database name (any existing database on the server will do, for example the Northwind sample database or the file vault database), and the server and login credentials of the SQL server with the linked server.