SharePoint Document Issues

Fix SharePoint Drag and Drop Creating SVG Files Instead of Uploading

Rana Garcia Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users are experiencing an issue where dragging and dropping files in SharePoint Online or Outlook generates an SVG file rather than successfully copying or moving the original file.

Fix SharePoint Drag and Drop Creating SVG Files Instead of Uploading

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Dragging files between SharePoint Online sites, or from SharePoint to Outlook, using web browsers like Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.
Observed behavior: An SVG file is created at the destination instead of uploading, moving, or copying the actual original file.

Before you start

Ensure your browser is updated to the latest version and verify that your Microsoft 365 account has the correct upload permissions for the target SharePoint document library.

Solution 1Recommended

Use an InPrivate or Incognito Browser Window

Test the drag-and-drop functionality in a private browsing window to determine if cached data or interfering browser extensions are causing the SVG file issue.

Browser extensions and corrupted cache data can sometimes interfere with web elements, causing the browser to misinterpret the dragged file's metadata and generate an SVG element instead of the file payload.

Open a Private Window

Launch Microsoft Edge and press Ctrl+Shift+N to open an InPrivate window, or open Google Chrome and press Ctrl+Shift+N for an Incognito window.

Log in to SharePoint

Navigate to your SharePoint Online portal and log in with your Microsoft 365 credentials.

Test the Drag and Drop

Open File Explorer on your computer, select a document, and drag it directly into the SharePoint document library within the private browser window.

Verify the Upload

Check if the original file successfully uploads. If it works, clear your browser's cache and cookies, or disable extensions in your normal browsing session.

Use an InPrivate or Incognito Browser Window

File Explorer Behavior: Dragging a file from local File Explorer to a SharePoint document library should upload a copy to the cloud while leaving your original file in place on your local drive.

Solution 2

Contact Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

If browser troubleshooting does not resolve the issue, server-side logs may need to be reviewed by Microsoft support to identify the root cause.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does SharePoint create an SVG file when dragging and dropping?

This glitch is typically caused by the web browser misinterpreting the drag-and-drop action. Instead of transferring the file's payload, the browser copies the visual SVG icon or metadata of the web element. It often happens due to corrupted browser cache or conflicting extensions.

Can I drag files directly from my desktop into SharePoint?

Yes, standard functionality allows you to drag files from your local File Explorer directly into a SharePoint document library in your browser. This action uploads a copy of the document to SharePoint while leaving the original file intact on your computer.

How do I move a file instead of copying it in SharePoint?

When dragging and dropping between SharePoint sites in a browser, it often defaults to copying. To ensure a file is moved rather than copied, select the file, click the 'Move to' option in the top command bar, and select your destination.

Will clearing my browser cache fix SharePoint upload errors?

Yes, clearing your cache can resolve many unexpected behaviors in web applications like SharePoint. Testing the process in an Incognito or InPrivate window is a quick way to confirm if the cache or an extension is the source of the problem before fully clearing your browser data.

Document & File Issues