Create a Distribution List from Excel

Hi.

I have found lots of instructions online to create a distribution list from
an Excel/CSV contacts list. However, all of them seem to involve importing
the data into a newly created contacts folder and then creating a
distribution list from there.

I have a number of contacts lists containing hundreds of rows each and was
wondering therefore if there is a way of cutting out the middle step and
importing them directly into a distribution list??

Thanks.

Liz.