Microsoft Office 365 suite has many applications. One of the apps used to share information is SharePoint. SharePoint is used as the platform to create the websites for the organizations. The document library plays an important role in the SharePoint to store the files and folders. As per the importance of the data in the document file, only authorized users can access the files.
Sometimes there is a situation when organizations decide to merge and rebrand themselves, and then there is a requirement to move the document library to another site. Let’s explore the different methods for SharePoint to copy the document library to another site.
Distinct Ways to Migrate SharePoint Document Library to Another Site!
To migrate the SharePoint document library to another site there are different methods. Here is a detailed explanation of each method. You should also follow the SharePoint Online Migration checklist for successful migration. Let’s deep dive into the methods to tackle the query.
Method 1. SharePoint Online Modern Experience
By using the SharePoint online modern user-friendly interface, you can copy document Library from one site to another with these steps:
Step 1. Sign in to Office 365 and move to the SharePoint document library from where you want to copy the data.
Step 2. Now, after opening the library click on the Gear icon at the top right corner.
Step 3. It’s time to choose the site contents option from the dropdown.
Step 4. Click on the 3 dots that you want to copy to another site.
Step 5. Now, a “Copy to” dialog appears, and enters the destination url in it.
Step 6. Choose the document library in the destination site and hit on “copy” button.
This method is treated as one of the most simple methods to copy documents to another site. However, it is not an ideal approach to copy the large data to another site. Let’s find out another method.
Method 2. Migrate SharePoint Document Library to Another Tenant by Classic Experience
Another method to migrate documents from one site to another is by using the “Open with Explorer option”. These are the steps that you need to follow.
Step 1. Go to the Site from where you want to migrate the data.
Step 2. Now, Open the Document Library hit on the “Library” tab and
Step 3. Hit on the “Open with Explorer” option.
Step 4. Now, paste the files and folders that you want to migrate under the Windows Explorer window.
Step 5. Wait till the files are uploaded.
This method can work with the large data. However, it requires so much technical expertise because the data can be lost if any of the steps are wrongly executed.
Method 3. PowerShell Script to Copy Document Library from One Site to Another
PowerShell commands can also help migrate the data to another site. Follow the below commands sequentially.
- Run the PowerShell on the source system and set up a connection with the SharePoint online site. Put the URL of the site in the <SiteURL>.
Connect-PnPOnline -Url <SiteURL> -Credentials (Get-Credential)
- Now, download the document library to the source system in a local folder. Use the name of the library in place of <LibraryName>.
Export-PnPList -Identity <LibraryName> -Path -Force
- It’s time to import the document library to the destination site. <BackupPath> replaced by the path of the exported library. Replace the <DestinationSiteURL> with the destination site.
Import-PnPList -Path <BackupPath> -DestinationUrl <DestinationSiteUrl> -Force
- After the execution of the command, wait for a while to correct the changes in the destination SharePoint site.
Also Read: What are the Admin Roles and Responsibilities in Office 365?
Method 4. Use “Save as” an Option and “Upload”
This is one of the easiest methods for small quantities of data, every user can opt for this, even if you are not familiar with the technicalities:
Step 1. Access the source document library.
Step 2. Choose the files or folders to copy.
Step 3. Download the selected items to your computer.
Step 4. Go to the desired SharePoint site and library.
Step 5. Upload the downloaded files to the destination library.
A Quick Alternative to Manual Method to Copy Document Library from One Site to Another
The above methods can help you to perform this task, however, it has several limitations. If you want a streamlined and effective method then you can use SysTools SharePoint Migration Tool, it is only the most reliable software specially built to simplify complex migration methods. Let’s discuss the steps.
Software Working Steps
Step 1. Run the software on your computer and select Office 365 as the source and destination platforms from the main screen.
Step 2. Enable Sites and apply the built-in date filter for selective
Step 3. From the source tab enter Admin Email and Application ID and validate the required permission. Click on Next.
Step 4. In the destination tab enter Admin Email and Application ID and validate the required permission. Click on Next.
Step 5. In the Sites tab import all sites that you want to migrate using any of these three methods.
Step 6. Mapp the source Site URL with the destination site validate the permissions, and click on the Start Migration.
Author’s Suggestion!
You finally know how to copy the SharePoint document library to another tenant. Five methods are discussed to help you migrate the data to another site. Four manual methods are discussed which can be used for the small data. However, as per the expert’s recommendation, the automated tool is the best to move the SharePoint document library to another site whether the data is large or small.
Commonly Asked Queries –
Q1. Can I copy a document library directly within the same site?
Yes, you can create a new document library within the same site and manually copy the files.
Q2. What tools can I use to copy a document library to another site?
You can use various tools, including:
- SharePoint Online Modern Experience and Classic Experience
- PowerShell scripts
- Manual download and upload
Q3. Are permissions copied along with the documents?
Depending on the tool used, permissions may not be copied automatically. You may need to reconfigure permissions manually after copying.
Q4. Will metadata be preserved during the copying process?
Manual methods may require you to recreate metadata. Despite that, many migration tools support metadata preservation.
Q5. How long does the copying process take?
The time it takes depends on the size of the document library, the number of files, and the method used for copying. Large libraries may take longer.
Q6. Can I copy a document library if I don’t have admin access?
You typically need appropriate permissions on both the source and destination sites to copy a document library. If you lack permission, contact your site administrator.
Q7. Can I schedule the copying process?
Some advanced migration tools offer scheduling features, while manual methods do not. If you need scheduling, consider using a third-party tool.
Q8. What are the best practices for copying a document library?
- Plan the copy process ahead of time.
- Test with a small subset of documents first.
- Ensure permissions are set correctly post-copy.
- Check for compliance and data governance policies.