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Summary: SharePoint, being a collaboration platform, is getting immense recognition, especially after the release of Microsoft 365 (SharePoint Online). Many users from the older versions (2007, 2010, and 2013) are planning their migration to SPO. This is because of its high-end features, such as MS Teams, One Drive for Business, and Skype. You can migrate SharePoint to Microsoft 365 manually or with tools like SharePoint Migration Tool and Kernel Migration for SharePoint.

Looking for a solution to move data from your on-premises SharePoint to SharePoint Online? Get the best suitable methods in this blog. Go through this blog and find the most helpful ways to move data from SharePoint on-premises to SharePoint Online.

SharePoint has solidified its position as the primary platform for secure internal collaboration on a worldwide scale. As Office 365 continues to offer advanced features and capabilities, users who previously relied on on-premises iterations such as SharePoint 2007, SharePoint 2010, and SharePoint 2013 are increasingly opting to migrate their traditional SharePoint deployments to Office 365.

The latest SharePoint versions, such as SharePoint 2016 and 2019, offer great advantages when integrated with Microsoft 365. Consequently, there is a growing interest among users in exploring approaches to transit their data from SharePoint to Office 365 environment.

What are the benefits of using Microsoft 365?

There are several facilities offered by Microsoft 365 that form the primary reasons for users wanting to migrate SharePoint to Office 365, and some of them are given below-

Integrated with MS Office suite – Individuals utilizing Microsoft Office 365 enjoy a diverse suite of Office applications such as SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, and Skype for Business. Office 365 is compatible with multiple devices, spanning desktop computers, tablets, and mobile phones.

Best collaborative center – Teams can connect and manage tasks seamlessly. Exceptional features encompassing chat, document sharing, task assignment, progress tracking, project scheduling, document administration, and various utility applications enhance workplace collaboration.

Once you migrate SharePoint to Microsoft 365 (SPO), your entire data will be in its highest efficiency and integrity.

Greater storage limits for mailboxes – The business-class email service provides a comprehensive package, including a 50GB mailbox allocated to every user and robust calendar features designed with an interface reminiscent of Outlook.

Conferencing and meetings services – Employ screen sharing and audio/video conferencing tools to conduct virtual meetings. These meetings remain accessible even in cases of unreliable internet connectivity, thanks to their explicit functionalities and capabilities.

Innovative analytical apps and enhanced security – When you transfer files externally through MS 365, the platform ensures high security of the data. Office 365 employs data encryption and data loss prevention measures to help users access their documents, files, and folders without worrying about anything. Additionally, the analytic tools provide valuable data analysis and visualization capabilities. Notably, MyAnalytics and Power Business Intelligence facilitate the creation of interactive reports.

These advantages serve as compelling incentives for businesses to consider the decision to migrate their SharePoint content to Office 365, specifically SharePoint Online. The migration encompasses the transfer of site collections, lists and libraries, workflows, and more.

How to migrate to Office 365 from SharePoint?

Migration between two platforms is not a cakewalk. However, you can opt for either the manual or automated approach to migrate SharePoint to Office 365. Here, we’ll explain migration to SharePoint Online using two different tools: one is powered by Microsoft, while the other is a third-party migration tool.

Method-1. Migrate using the Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool

Microsoft introduced the SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) as the SharePoint migration assistance tool that migrates data from on-premises SharePoint to Office 365 (SharePoint online). Its simple user interface and basic functionality help migrate complete sites, lists/libraries, and metadata.

SPMT performs incremental migration in which only the new data will move between the SharePoint accounts from the source data and there will be no duplicity.

Which on-premises versions does Microsoft Tool support to migrate SharePoint to Office 365?

The tool supports the SharePoint migration to Office 365 from the following servers-

  • SharePoint Server 2016 (Public Preview) to SharePoint Online/OneDrive
  • SharePoint Server 2013, SharePoint Foundation 2013 to SharePoint Online/OneDrive
  • SharePoint Server 2010, SharePoint Foundation 2010 to SharePoint Online/OneDrive
  • Network and local file shares to SharePoint Online/OneDrive

As an elegant migration utility, the SPMT possesses the essential capabilities required for successfully transferring SharePoint data to Office 365 across multiple versions. However, it is not well-suited for handling enterprise-level data migrations and comes with certain noteworthy limitations, which include the following:

  • It migrates data only up to 250 GB.
  • There are no filtering, customization, or other adaptive features to stop sizeable and unnecessary data from migration.
  • You will get limited information from pre-migration analysis before the software migrates SharePoint to Office 365.
  • The migration report also has limited information related to the migrated items.

Method-2. A Professional Tool for SharePoint On-premises to SharePoint Online Migration

Microsoft offers certain free utilities and features for enabling SharePoint to SharePoint Online Migration. However, it’s important to note that these resources may not fully meet all user needs and lack flexibility. Moreover, the effectiveness of these solutions is contingent upon the user’s technical expertise and skillset.

If you aim to achieve a smooth migration of SharePoint to SharePoint Online, it is essential to select a professional SharePoint migration solution.

The Kernel Migration for SharePoint is a sophisticated migration solution equipped with a comprehensive set of features and adaptable services. It empowers users to effortlessly choose multiple SharePoint accounts for migration without any limitations. Our software offers an intricate step-by-step procedure, guiding you through every necessary action to successfully transfer data from on-premises SharePoint to SharePoint Online within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

  1. Open the software, go to SharePoint (on-premises/Online) and right-click it. Select, and Add New SharePoint Site.
    Add New SharePoint Site
  2. To add a new site, input a project name, the site URL of the on-premises SharePoint site, Username, and password details. Click OK.
    input a project name
  3. The tool asks if you want to connect the server as a destination. Click No.
    want to connect the server as a destination
  4. A new project is connected and added to the source list. Now, go to the destination section and right-click on SharePoint (on-premises/online). Choose, Add New SharePoint site option.
    new project is connected
  5. Input the destination details you provide for the source part and click OK.
    Input the destination details
  6. Choose if you want to select the site as a source too. Click either yes/no.
    select the site as a source
  7. A project is selected in the destination, and you can check the items from both sources and destinations.
    project is selected in the destination
  8. To start the SharePoint to SharePoint Online migration, choose the items from the source and right-click on them. Select ‘Copy To.’
    start the migration
  9. The SharePoint-to-SharePoint Migration wizard is open. Click Next.
    SharePoint-to-SharePoint Migration wizard
  10. There are three options for migrating to the site – Migrate as a new Active Site, migrate as an existing site, or migrate as a new subsite of the current site. Choose any one and click Next.
    three options for migrating the site
  11. First, use the Site URL to choose the destination site and click the Browse button to select the subsites. Click Next.
    Site URL to choose the destination
  12. There will be several properties and attributes that you can select to migrate along with the primary data. Click Next.
    several properties and attributes
  13. Choose more attributes and click Next.
    Choose more attributes
  14. Apply all the filters that will shorten the amount of data valid for migration. Then, click Next.
    Apply all the filters
  15. Choose the option to migrate permissions related to all the items. Click Next.
    option to migrate permissions
  16. Use the schedule feature to select a suitable time to start the migration. Click Next.
    suitable timing to start the migration
  17. A summary section shows the selected items for migration, desired destination, chosen features, filters, etc. Click Next.
    summary section shows the selected items for migration
  18. The migration will start with a quick transfer of each item.
    migration will start with a quick transfer
  19. As soon as the migration is complete, you can see a completion summary showing a clear status of each item migrated.
  20. Migrate SharePoint to Office 365 complete

  21. Click Finish.

The top choice among users for migrating SharePoint content to Office 365 is the Kernel Migration for SharePoint. Its widespread acclaim is attributable to its comprehensive set of advanced functionalities, meticulously crafted to guarantee a smooth and secure migration. This tool particularly stands out in facilitating a secure transfer of SharePoint content from on-premises setups to the online platform, effortlessly supporting all on-premises versions.

The tool helps you migrate SharePoint permissions easily. This tool facilitates the transfer of a wide range of content, including documents, folders, views, list items, web parts, and workflows, from SharePoint lists and libraries to SharePoint Online. It also preserves the version history during the migration process. The tool’s versatility allows applying filters based on criteria such as dates, users, and file types, allowing for precise and selective data migration. Additionally, it supports the migration of public folder data from Exchange on-premises, Outlook profiles, and Microsoft 365.

Conclusion

Aside from employing the no-cost SharePoint Migration tool, there exists no alternative manual approach for transferring SharePoint on-premises data to the Microsoft 365. Given the numerous constraints linked to the free tool, a more advisable course of action is to opt for Kernel Migration for SharePoint. This software facilitates a rapid, precise, and efficient migration of SharePoint content to Office 365. Our SharePoint migration solution seamlessly transfers an unlimited number of site collections, lists, libraries, and various other SharePoint items.