Transferring documents and folders from old Sharepoint site to new sharepoint site.

Question

(SharePoint Server 2019)

Greetings,

I have been tasked with creating a new modern employee site to replace my company's old classic site which is from 2010. I have developed the new communication site so now I would like to know the best method of transferring all the document libraries over to the new site if possible. There are a lot of folders and files within those document libraries that have permissions which I'd rather not have to recreate if possible. Please note that the new site is on a new web application as well. All guidance and screen shots are appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi @Tevon2.0 ,

You can export the libraries as templates include contents from SharePoint 2013 and import them to SharePoint 2019. Here are the steps:

1. Go to library settings > Save document library as template under general settings > Permissions and Management in SharePoint 2013.
2. Enter the name for the template file and give a name and description to the template. Make sure you check the Include Content. Click OK to save the template to the list template gallery.
3. Repeat 1 and 2 in all your needed libraries.
4. Go to the list template gallery and download the template files to local.
5. Go to SharePoint 2019 site > Site settings > Select list templates under Web Designer Galleries > Upload template files to the list template gallery.
6. Go to Site contents > Click Return to classic SharePoint > Click add an app > Create libraries using the templates one by one.

I'm afraid there is no OOB way to migrate libraries including Permissions. Maybe some 3rd party tools can do this, not sure.

Also, the steps above can be replaced by using PowerShell. See this article: Export-Import All Lists and Libraries from One Site to Another using PowerShell

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