SharePoint List with many columns

Question

We are designing a system where data from forms will be stored in sharepoint lists.

Problem is that these lists can have very many columns.

Question is:

• Is there a max number of columns in a sharepoint list?
• Can we use reporting services to read from two lists?
• Is it possible to display information from two lists in a single view even if the combined is over the max number of columns

Answer 1

Q: Is there a max number of columns in a sharepoint list?
A: SharePoint Server 2010 capacity management: Software boundaries and limits / Column limits

Q: Can we use reporting services to read from two lists?
A: Yes: if you are using SQL Server 2008 R2 reporting service

Q: Is it possible to display information from two lists in a single view even if the combined is over the max number of columns
A: yes by using LookUp field to the other list and select the columns you want to show, then in the View select the columns you want.

Answer 2

Please take into account, that due to SharePoint Data architecture each column added to your list will also add N rows to a list items table in a Content DB (where N is items number in that list). And if you are adding Index to the colum, this also adds N rows to the index table in your Content DB. Thus Max number of columns could be dictated by Content DB size.