Fix SharePoint Migration Error: File Count Is Too Large to Create an Index
Question details
The user is receiving a message stating 'File Count Is Too Large to Create an Index' when attempting to migrate over 20,000 items to SharePoint, and wants to know how it affects searchability and view limits.
- Product
- SharePoint Migration Tool
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Migrating a large batch of files (over 20,000 items) into a single SharePoint document library or list.
- Observed behavior
- The migration tool displays a warning about failing to create an index due to the high file count, raising concerns about list-view threshold errors and search indexing.
Before proceeding, confirm your total file count for the target library and verify whether your files are grouped in a single root folder or distributed across multiple subdirectories.
Manually Create Indexed Columns and Apply Filtered Views
Bypass the automatic index creation limit by manually setting up indexed columns and filtering your views to stay under the 5,000-item list-view threshold.
The warning means SharePoint cannot automatically create an index for modern library views because the item count exceeds 20,000. This does not break SharePoint Search indexing; users can still find uploaded files via the search bar. However, standard library views might fail to load. To prevent list-view threshold errors, you must manually structure the view.
Open your target SharePoint document library, click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner, and select 'Library settings'. Click on 'More library settings' if prompted.
Scroll down to the Columns section and click on 'Indexed columns'. Click 'Create a new index' and select a column you frequently use for filtering, such as 'Created', 'Modified', or a custom metadata field.
Return to the Library settings page and scroll down to the 'Views' section. Click on the default view (usually 'All Documents') to edit it.
In the View settings, locate the 'Filter' section. Choose 'Show items only when the following is true', select the column you just indexed, and apply a condition (e.g., Modified is greater than [Date]) so the view returns fewer than 5,000 items at a time.
Restructure Content Across Folders or Separate Libraries
Reorganize the migration source data into smaller, manageable folders or distinct document libraries to naturally prevent threshold errors.
Handle Large Migrated Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
After successfully migrating your files to SharePoint, you will need an efficient Office suite to access, edit, and collaborate on your documents. WPS Office serves as a lightweight, powerful, and free alternative to Microsoft Office, offering full compatibility with your migrated Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this migration error mean my files will not be searchable in SharePoint?
No. The error refers specifically to the automatic index creation for modern list and library views. Your files will still be uploaded, processed, and fully indexed by the global SharePoint Search engine, meaning users can still search for them normally.
What is the SharePoint list view threshold?
The SharePoint list view threshold is 5,000 items. While a single document library can store up to 30 million files, any single query or folder view that attempts to fetch or display more than 5,000 items at once will fail or display a threshold error. Structuring data with indexed columns or folders resolves this.
Can I simply ignore the 'File Count Is Too Large' warning?
Yes, you can proceed with the migration. The files will successfully transfer to SharePoint. However, ignoring the warning means your users might experience errors or extremely slow loading times when trying to browse the destination library. Setting up filtered views or folders post-migration is highly recommended.
