SharePoint 2019 - Self Migration Guide - Files & Documents

OVERVIEW

This article describes how to self-migrate your files and documents (Document Libraries) from your SharePoint 2019 site to another tool.

 

Known Limitations

Files in Document Libraries can be self-migrated if available for downloading. Please note the following restrictions:

  1. Downloading a file in SharePoint doesn't preserve its metadata, such as:
    • Document properties
    • File access permissions
    • Relative links between files
    • Workflow information
    • Version information
    • Templates
  2. There is no way to download multiple files at once from SharePoint 2019. If you are considering self-migration options, you will have to download your files individually.
    • Historically, "Open with Explorer" was the method for handling multiple files with its integration with Internet Explorer. Since the browser's retirement, Microsoft Edge does not support this feature making this feature obsolete.
  3. When uploading your files and folders onto Microsoft 365 document libraries, such as SharePoint Online, the total file and path length can be a maximum of 400 characters. You will encounter an error message upon uploading.

 

Download Your Files

To download your files from SharePoint 2019:

  1. On a browser, visit your SharePoint 2019 site and navigate to a document library you wish to download.
  2. On a file, select "..." > "..." > Download.

     
  3. You will need to repeat Step 2 for every other file you wish to download.

 

Upload Your Files

There are a few ways to upload directly from your computer to SharePoint Online:

  1. Drag and drop
  2. Using "Upload" button
  3. Syncing with OneDrive desktop app

 

OPTION A. DRAG AND DROP

  1. On a browser, visit the Microsoft 365 document library you wish to upload your files onto, such as SharePoint Online site or Team's SharePoint site.
  2. Drag and drop the files to the SharePoint library. The library should display a highlight when you hover the file over it.

     
  3. The upload status can be monitored on the top-right corner of the document library.

 

 

OPTION B. USING "UPLOAD" BUTTON

  1. On a browser, visit the Microsoft 365 document library you wish to upload your files onto, such as SharePoint Online site or Team's SharePoint site.
  2. Select Upload > Files or Folder.

     
  3. Navigate to your files in the pop-up window and click Open.

     
  4. The upload status can be monitored on the top-right corner of the document library.

 

 

OPTION C. SYNCING WITH ONEDRIVE DESKTOP APP

This option is only recommended to power users.

  1. Install and setup your SFU account with OneDrive Desktop.
  2. On a browser, visit the Microsoft 365 document library you wish to upload your files onto, such as SharePoint Online site or Team's SharePoint site.
  3. Select Sync to set up a sync connection with your account.

     
  4. Select Open.

     
  5. You will see a pop up from OneDrive.

     
  6. If you haven't already, you will be asked to sign into your OneDrive account. Enter SFUComputingID@sfu.ca and complete the sign-in process.

     
  7. Adjust your sync location if needed, then select Next.

     
  8. You will see a confirmation that your sync connection has been set up.

     
  9. Open the location of the files/folders you wish to upload and sync. Then, copy or move the files/folders to the newly created sync folder for your Microsoft 365 document library.

    In this example, we moved files and folders onto the pinned M365 Document Library folder on the Quick Access sidebar.

     
  10. Monitor the Status on your file explorer, or refresh the document library on your browser to see if your files have been uploaded by OneDrive.

 

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