SharePoint storage exceeded

Question

Previously, we had X number of SharePoint storage included with our Microsoft licenses. Recently, we returned a few licenses, and after that, we received a notification email that our storage had exceeded the limit. Currently, our SharePoint usage is 7.2 TB out of 4.2 TB, but data is available

We understand that once the grace period ends, the additional data may be moved to read-only mode. Could you clarify:

Till how many days we can access the data without any issue.

What is the grace period till the data gets deleted in read only mode (if Yes Please share the timelines)

Will we be charged for the additional data which is in read only mode? (If yes what is the cost per GB?

Answer 1

Hello @M Navyashree,

Thank you for your questions regarding the SharePoint storage situation. I understand your concern, especially around the grace period, read-only mode, and whether there is any risk of data deletion or additional charges.

Based on the research I’ve done using Microsoft’s official documentation, I wasn’t able to find any statement from Microsoft that specifies a fixed number of days after which data will be deleted once SharePoint is placed into read-only mode. What Microsoft clearly documents is that when the SharePoint storage quota is exceeded, the tenant can be moved to read-only mode, meaning users can still access and view data, but cannot upload, edit, or add new content until the situation is resolved.

I also want to clarify that data in read-only mode is not charged separately. Microsoft does not automatically bill for storage that exceeds the quota. Additional costs only apply if an organization chooses to purchase extra SharePoint storage or adds more licenses to increase the overall storage allocation.

According to Microsoft’s guidance, when the SharePoint storage quota is exceeded, the recommended options are to purchase additional storage or extra licenses, archive inactive content that still needs to be retained, or delete content that is no longer required. Once the storage usage is brought back within the allocated limit, normal SharePoint functionality is restored.

Reference: SharePoint in Microsoft 365 Out of Storage Space - SharePoint | Microsoft Learn

If you would like confirmation on tenant-specific timelines or want absolute clarity based on your exact environment, I would recommend opening a support ticket directly with Microsoft Support through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. This allows Microsoft to review your tenant details and provide authoritative guidance that goes beyond what is publicly documented.

Reference: Get support - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn

Please understand that I’m approaching this from the same position as an end user, relying on available documentation and community knowledge. I don’t have visibility into Microsoft’s backend systems or internal enforcement timelines, but I’m happy to share what is officially documented and guide you to the right channel for deeper confirmation.

 

Thank you for your understanding, and please let me know if you need any further help.

Kind regards,

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Answer 2

SharePoint storage and pooled Microsoft 365 storage have clear behaviors when the quota is exceeded, but the provided information does not specify any automatic deletion of SharePoint data due to being over quota.

Based on the context:

1. How long data can be accessed without issues

• For SharePoint Online (commercial tenants), when the tenant exceeds its SharePoint storage quota, the environment is at risk of being put into read-only mode:
  • “If your tenant continues to operate above your storage limits, you are at a risk of your environment being put into ‘read-only’ mode. This means that users may be unable to add or modify content until storage usage is reduced or additional capacity is purchased.”
  • The exact number of days before enforcement for commercial tenants is not specified in the context.
• For Microsoft 365 Education pooled storage (as a reference model), the behavior is explicitly documented:
  • At 100% capacity, “the tenant has 30 days to take action before OneDrive and SharePoint sites transition to read-only mode.”
  • This shows a 30‑day enforcement window in that scenario, but the context does not state that the same 30‑day rule applies to all commercial tenants.

So, the context confirms that:

• You can continue to access data (view/download) even when over quota until enforcement (read‑only) is applied.
• The precise grace period in days for a non‑Education/commercial tenant is not defined in the provided material.

2. Grace period and data deletion while in read-only mode

• For Education pooled storage, once at 100%:
  • After 30 days, OneDrive and SharePoint go into read‑only mode.
  • In read‑only mode: “Users can't add new content or modify existing content on OneDrive and SharePoint. Users can still view, download, or delete content and empty their recycle bin.”
• The context does not state that SharePoint content is automatically deleted due to being in read‑only mode or due to exceeding storage. It only describes restrictions on adding/modifying content.
• Therefore, from the provided information:
  • No automatic deletion timeline for SharePoint data in read‑only mode is documented.
  • To exit read‑only mode, storage usage must be reduced below the limit (deletion/archival) or capacity must be increased (licenses/add‑on storage).

3. Charges for additional data while over quota/read-only

• For SharePoint Online storage:
  • When the quota is exceeded, the documented options are:
    1. Purchase add‑on storage or extra licenses.
    2. Archive inactive content.
    3. Delete content.
  • The context confirms that additional SharePoint storage can be purchased “at a cost per gigabyte (GB) per month,” but does not provide the actual price per GB.
• For Microsoft 365 Archive (separate feature):
  • Storage consumption is charged “at a per‑GB monthly rate” when archived + active storage exceeds the tenant’s included/allocated SharePoint storage capacity.
  • Pricing details are referenced via a pay‑as‑you‑go pricing page, but no numeric rate is given in the context.

From the provided information:

• Being over quota/read‑only does not itself define a specific per‑GB overage fee in the documentation excerpt.
• Instead, the model is:
  • Stay within quota: no extra SharePoint storage charge.
  • Exceed quota: must either reduce usage or purchase additional storage/licensing; pricing is per‑GB per month, but the exact cost per GB is not specified here.

Summary aligned to the questions:

1. “Till how many days we can access the data without any issue.”

• Access (view/download) continues even when over quota; however, once enforcement/read‑only is applied, adding/modifying content is blocked.
• A 30‑day window before read‑only is documented for Education pooled storage at 100% usage; no explicit day‑count is provided for commercial tenants in the context.

2. “What is the grace period till the data gets deleted in read only mode.”

• The context does not document any automatic deletion of SharePoint data due to read‑only mode or over‑quota status, nor any deletion timeline.

3. “Will we be charged for the additional data which is in read only mode? (If yes what is the cost per GB?)”

• When total SharePoint (and, for Archive, archived+active) storage exceeds the included/allocated capacity, additional storage must be purchased on a per‑GB per‑month basis or more licenses must be acquired.
• The exact per‑GB price is not provided in the context.

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References:

• SharePoint Online out of storage space
• SharePoint storage planning
• SharePoint limits
• Pooled storage management
• Pricing model for Microsoft 365 Archive