How to migrate documents to SharePoint?

Microsoft SharePoint stands out as a leading enterprise-level content management system, renowned for its prowess in document management and fostering collaborative efforts. Seamlessly integrated with OneDrive, it emerges as the ultimate repository for secure document storage and effortless sharing. SharePoint migration can present several challenges, and the best solution to overcome them is thorough planning and execution.

Fortunately, there are reliable tools, such as Kernel Migration for SharePoint, which streamline migrating file server data to the SharePoint platform and facilitate a seamless transition for businesses. It facilitates effortless and secure transfer of SharePoint document libraries and data between two accounts while preserving data integrity.

There are different aspects you need to consider while migrating documents from file server to SharePoint, such as:

• Which documents do you want to migrate?
• Choosing the correct SharePoint document library as a destination.
• Selecting the desired location in the SharePoint library to migrate documents.

How to move documents in SharePoint?

There are a variety of ways available to transfer your SharePoint documents, two of which are explained below:

Drag-and-drop is the most straightforward method of transferring files within SharePoint. It's important to note that this feature is exclusively accessible in SharePoint 2013 and subsequent iterations. To facilitate the migration of documents using drag-and-drop feature, follow the steps outlined below:

Disadvantage: With the drag-and-drop feature, you can conveniently move files within SharePoint, but it has a limit of 100 files at a time. However, please note that this method is not effective for migrating SharePoint document libraries. Therefore, it is advisable to explore alternative approaches for migrating SharePoint documents.

This represents another viable approach for document migration. Simply access the document library outside SharePoint using the 'Open with Explorer' feature. This opens SharePoint document library directly within Windows Explorer. To utilize this option effectively, follow these steps:

Disadvantages: This feature is exclusively compatible with the Internet Explorer browser, and it is not supported in other web browsers. Additionally, please note that transferring substantial SharePoint documents containing images, tables, and animations may lead to performance issues, causing the window to become unresponsive.

• Drag-and-Drop Document to a SharePoint Library
  1. Open SharePoint 2013 on your system and log in with your credentials.
  2. Now, drag a single or multiple files from your computer and drop them to the SharePoint library of your choice.
• Open with Explorer
  1. Go to the SharePoint document library. Now, select the "Library" tab on the toolbar.
  2. You'll see "Open with Explorer" in the right corner; click it.
  3. The Windows Explorer wizard will appear on the screen displaying the folders in your document library.
  4. You can access these files as they are on your computer.
  5. Now, you can use this window to move your documents to SharePoint.

Alternate Solution to migrate SharePoint

Kernel Migration for SharePoint is an advanced SharePoint Migration tool that empower users to migrate multiple documents in a single operation seamlessly. This versatile tool provides you with the flexibility to schedule migrations according to your specific needs. Notably, it boasts a range of unique features, including:

• Allow migrating entire files on disk/drive to SharePoint.
• Pre-migration analysis to eliminate any risks during migration.
• Drag-and-drop feature to migrate files to SharePoint account.
• Smart filters to migrate specific data.
• Automate migration with the scheduler.

Now, let’s have a look at its working process to understand this software better. Follow the steps below to migrate file system data to SharePoint. Using this tool, you can also migrate permissions from file server to SharePoint Server.

1. Download the software and install it on your system.
2. On launching the tool, the welcome window of the software will appear on the screen. To add a remote file system, go to "Add New Source" and select "File System" as a source.
3. Add the required information to add the new file system to the tool and click "Ok" to proceed.
4. Now, go to the toolbar and select the "File System" option and then select "File System to SharePoint."
5. The File System to SharePoint wizard will open on the screen. Click the "Add" button to select the files from the local or remote file system and add them to the tool.
6. Click "Next" to move to the next step and select the destination where you want to migrate the documents.
7. It will add the default SharePoint site ; to add another site, click the drop-down menu and select the site.
8. Click the "Browse" button to select a destination list, library, or folder in the selected SharePoint site. The following dialog box will appear on the screen.
9. Select the desired location and click "OK" to confirm.
10. Once the documents/files are selected, you’ll get back to the migration wizard that displays the selected list/library
11. Click “Next” to go to the next step. First, the tool will try to map the attributes of the content automatically. It will leave the fields blank if the relevant attribute is not available on the File System. Map the blank attributes. You can also modify the already mapped attributes.
12. Once you select the attribute value, click “OK.” It will take you back to the previous content migration wizard; click “Next.”
13. In the next step, set the filters you want to apply to files/documents and click "Next.
14. Allow the permissions to migrate the data from the file system. After mapping any additional user, click “Next.”
15. If you're migrating the files/documents from a remote file system, then you’ll have to provide the login credentials of a user with full permissions the added content. Enter the credentials and click “Next.”
16. In the next step, select Execute Immediate to execute the process immediately or Schedule it and click “Next.”
17. After starting the execution of the process, you’ll see the summary of the migration process. Check the summary, and then click “Next” to start the migration process.
18. It will take some time to complete the migration process. Once it is complete, the screen will display the Completion Summary. Click “Finish” to close the wizard.

This way, you can easily migrate files/documents from the local/remote file system to SharePoint using the tool.

Conclusion

File or document migration is generally considered one of the straightforward tasks in SharePoint. Using the drag-and-drop method or Explorer, it’s easy to migrate documents to SharePoint; however, these methods have their limitations. For a seamless and hassle-free migration, we suggest Kernel Migration for SharePoint. Use this software for migrating documents from OneDrive, Google Drive, File Share, and other platforms to SharePoint.