SharePoint Document Issues

How to Merge SharePoint Folders When the Replace Option is Missing

Khadija Khan Oct 7, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to merge files and subfolders into an existing SharePoint folder without leaving duplicate folders behind, but the system does not offer a direct merge or replace option.

How to Merge SharePoint Folders Without a Replace Option

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Moving a folder into a SharePoint destination that already contains a folder with the exact same name.
Observed behavior: SharePoint only offers a 'Keep Both' option during the folder move, which renames the incoming folder and creates duplicates instead of merging the contents together.

Before you start

Ensure you have Edit permissions for the SharePoint document library. It is recommended to review the contents of both the source and destination folders beforehand to anticipate any individual file name conflicts.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Merge Folders Using the 'Keep Both' Method

Since SharePoint does not offer a native folder merge feature in its web interface, you can bypass this limitation by temporarily keeping both folders and manually migrating the files.

This method ensures that no data is accidentally overwritten during the initial transfer. You will retain full control over how file conflicts are handled.

Select the 'Keep Both' Option

When prompted by SharePoint during the folder move, click 'Keep Both'. This allows the move to complete by automatically renaming the incoming folder (for example, it may become 'Folder (1)').

Open the Renamed Duplicate Folder

Locate and click on the newly renamed folder in your document library to access the files and subfolders inside.

Move the Contents to the Target Folder

Select all the files and subfolders within this duplicate folder. Click the 'Move to' button in the toolbar and select the original destination folder as the target.

Resolve Individual File Conflicts

As the files transfer, SharePoint will alert you if any files have the exact same names. You can now safely choose to 'Replace' or 'Keep Both' on a file-by-file basis.

Delete the Empty Duplicate Folder

Once you have verified that all contents have been successfully moved and merged into the destination folder, delete the temporary empty duplicate folder to keep your library organized.

Manually Merge Folders Using the 'Keep Both' Method

Tip: If you are dealing with a massive folder structure, consider syncing the SharePoint library to your local machine via OneDrive. Windows File Explorer and macOS Finder offer native folder merging prompts that can simplify this process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't SharePoint have a 'Replace' option for folders?

SharePoint prioritizes data safety to prevent users from accidentally deleting or overwriting large amounts of files at once. Therefore, it restricts replacement actions to individual files rather than entire folder directories.

Can I merge folders faster using the OneDrive desktop sync app?

Yes. If you sync your SharePoint library to your desktop using the OneDrive client, you can simply drag and drop the folders. Your operating system (Windows or macOS) will prompt you with a native option to merge the folders.

Will I lose my document version history when manually moving files?

No, as long as you use the 'Move to' command within the SharePoint web interface to transfer files between folders in the same document library, the version history of the files will remain intact.

Does choosing 'Keep Both' temporarily double my storage usage?

Yes, 'Keep Both' temporarily creates duplicates of the folder structure and its files. However, once you move the contents to the correct location and delete the duplicated files or folders, the storage space is freed up.

Document & File Issues