SharePoint Document Issues

How to Automatically Copy List Data and Home Page in SharePoint Online Templates

Aamir Naveed Akram Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to automatically copy list data and home page content when provisioning a new modern site in SharePoint Online.

How to Automatically Copy List Data and Home Page in SharePoint Online Templates

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating new modern SharePoint sites and needing to replicate existing list data and customized home pages automatically.
Observed behavior: Modern SharePoint site templates and site scripts only create the site structure (lists and columns) but do not copy over the actual list data or home page content natively.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary administrative permissions to manage SharePoint site scripts, and verify that you have access to Power Automate to create and trigger custom flows.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Power Automate with SharePoint Site Scripts

Since modern site scripts cannot copy data natively, use a site script to build the structure and trigger a Power Automate flow to migrate the list data and home page.

Modern SharePoint site templates use JSON site scripts designed solely for provisioning site structures. To move actual content, you must hand off the automation to Power Automate via a flow trigger.

Create the Site Script

Define a JSON site script that provisions the required lists and columns for your modern SharePoint site. Ensure all structural dependencies are mapped.

Set up the Power Automate Flow

Create a flow in Power Automate using the 'When a HTTP request is received' trigger or the specific SharePoint site script trigger so it can accept dynamic destination URLs as parameters.

Configure Data and Page Copying Actions

Add steps in your flow to copy list items from the designated source site, duplicate the customized site page, and publish it to the new destination URL.

Set the Home Page via REST API

Use the 'Send an HTTP request to SharePoint' action within the flow to designate the newly copied and published page as the default home page for the new site.

Link the Flow to Your Site Script

Use the 'triggerFlow' action inside your JSON site script schema, referencing the flow's ID, to automatically launch the Power Automate flow once the site structure is successfully built.

Use Power Automate with SharePoint Site Scripts

Dynamic URLs: The flow parameter will automatically receive the newly created site's URL, meaning you do not need to edit the flow for every new site.

Solution 2

Use Classic SharePoint Site Templates (For Legacy Sites)

If you are not strictly tied to modern team sites, you can use the classic 'Save site as template' feature which includes content.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a Lightweight Alternative for Your Documents?

While you manage complex SharePoint automation workflows, handling everyday documents shouldn't be a hassle. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible suite for creating, editing, and sharing documents effortlessly.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the installer for your operating system.
2. Install the Software: Run the installation file and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the office suite.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office files without losing any formatting.

Free and lightweight office suite with a familiar user interfaceSeamless compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsEasily collaborate on documents before uploading them to SharePointBuilt-in PDF editing and format conversion toolsCross-platform support for Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't my SharePoint site template copy list data?

Modern SharePoint site templates and site scripts are designed primarily for provisioning site structures, such as lists and columns. Copying actual list items or site pages is deliberately not supported natively via the site script JSON schema.

Can I use classic SharePoint templates to copy site data?

Yes, saving a site as a template with the 'Include Content' option enabled is supported for classic SharePoint Online sites. However, this feature is restricted for modern team sites and communication sites.

How do I pass the destination URL to Power Automate automatically?

When triggering a Power Automate flow from a site script using the 'triggerFlow' action, the site script automatically sends context parameters in the payload, including the web URL of the newly created destination site.

Do I need to edit the Power Automate flow for every new site?

No. By configuring the flow to accept the destination URL dynamically from the site script trigger payload, a single, centralized Power Automate flow can process data copying for any new site provisioned with that template.

Document & File Issues