I created a SQL server database and added a table to it. Then I used Sharepoint Designer 2010 to create an external Content Type using this table. Now I can alter the according Sharepoint list which then again performs CRUD operations on the said database table.
Now I want to do the same with a existing list which already contains data. In other words, I want to synchronize already filled lists to a table in my SQL Server database. As I am new to Sharepoint this is the only solution I can think of.
I would create a table in my database which contains the very same columns as my already existing Sharepoint list does. Then I would proceed as described above. Namely I would use Sharepoint Designer to create an External Content Type. This would generate a new list which would be connected to my database table. Now I would copy the complete data from the original list to the newly created and synchronized list. This way the data should also be synchronized with the database table now. Now I would simply delete the old list.
I somehow have the feeling this is not a clean solution for my task. Is there any easier or cleaner way to do this? Is this even possible?