Learn How to Copy Document Library from One Site to Another

Microsoft Office 365 suite has many applications. One of the apps used to create and manage sites is SharePoint. This application helps to share and store the information within the organization. Document lists and libraries play a significant role in the organizations to store the data efficiently. Sometimes there might be a situation when the project gets completed but some of the files of that project are required in another project. In this situation, the administrator needs to know how to copy document library from one site to another. 

Additionally, when an organization going to merge with another one, it is also required to move document libraries to another SharePoint site. However, due to the unavailability of the right solutions on the Internet, administrators failed to accomplish the task. 

In this guide, we will delve into the different solutions to migrate SharePoint document library to another site. So, let’s get started.

Distinct Ways to Move Document Library from One Site to Another in SharePoint Online

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. How to Copy Document Library from One Site to Another in 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. Move Document Library from One Site to Another in SharePoint Online

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. How to Copy Document Library from One Site to Another Using PowerShell?

PowerShell commands can also help migrate the data to another site. Follow the below commands sequentially.

1. 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)

2. 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

3. 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

4. After the execution of the command, wait for a while to correct the changes in the destination SharePoint site.

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.

Method 5. How to Copy Document Library from One Site to Another Using OneDrive Sync?

Microsoft 365 suite includes different apps for seamless collaboration. OneDrive is used to store the Teams and SharePoint data as well. Therefore, you can also use OneDrive to move or copy document library to another SharePoint site. 

1. Set up syncing with OneDrive.
2. Now, launch OneDrive and navigate to the synced files.
3. Start copying all the required files and folders that you want to move to another SharePoint site.
4. After that, paste the copied items to the destination site’s document library folder.
5. It’s time to wait for sync to accomplish the process.

Author’s Suggestion!

You finally know how to copy document library from one site to another. Different methods are discussed to help you migrate the data to another site. It depends upon your technical expertise and requirement to choose manual solutions or expert’s recommendation automated tool.