SharePoint Document Issues

How to Move Photos from a SharePoint Document Library to an Image Library

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to transfer large photos and videos from a standard SharePoint document library to a dedicated image library to utilize better tagging features, preferably without the hassle of downloading and re-uploading the files manually.

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Migrating media assets between different types of SharePoint libraries to improve metadata and tagging management for a team.
Observed behavior: SharePoint lacks a built-in direct drag-and-drop or simple migration feature to move files seamlessly between a standard Document Library and an Image Library.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary permissions to access Microsoft Power Automate, as well as Edit permissions for both the source Document Library and the destination Image Library in SharePoint.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Power Automate to Move Files Programmatically

Since SharePoint doesn't natively support direct transfers between these library types, utilizing a Power Automate flow is the most efficient method to automate the copy or move process without manual downloads.

This method uses Microsoft's automation tool to bridge the gap between different SharePoint library types. By setting up a custom flow, you can bulk transfer media files in the background.

Access Power Automate

Go to Microsoft Power Automate (make.powerautomate.com) and sign in with your Microsoft 365 account credentials.

Create a New Flow

Click on 'Create' from the left sidebar and select 'Instant cloud flow' to trigger the move manually, or 'Automated cloud flow' if you prefer an event-based trigger.

Retrieve Source Files

Add the 'SharePoint - Get files (properties only)' action to retrieve the items from your source Document Library where the photos currently reside.

Configure the Move Action

Add the 'SharePoint - Move file' or 'SharePoint - Copy file' action inside an 'Apply to each' loop. Set the Site Address and specify your target Image Library as the Destination Folder.

Save and Test

Save the flow and run a test with a small batch of photos to ensure the files are successfully transferred to the new Image Library.

Connector and Size Limits: Be mindful of Power Automate flow design and connector limits, especially when moving a large volume of high-resolution photos and large video files. You may need to enable chunking for large files.

Solution 2

Seek Help from the Microsoft Power Platform Community

If you encounter complex flow logic issues while designing the migration script, the Power Platform Community provides expert assistance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the 'Move to' button in SharePoint to transfer photos to an Image Library?

No, the built-in 'Move to' or 'Copy to' functions in a standard SharePoint Document Library do not natively support direct migration to a SharePoint Image Library. You must use Power Automate or a manual download and upload process.

Do I lose metadata when moving files via Power Automate?

If you use the 'Move file' action in Power Automate, basic metadata is usually retained. However, custom tags and columns might need to be explicitly mapped in your flow's dynamic content settings to ensure they successfully transfer to the Image Library.

Are there limits to file sizes when using Power Automate for SharePoint?

Yes, Power Automate has default message size limits, typically around 100 MB. For larger videos or high-resolution photos, you will need to go into the settings of the SharePoint connector action and enable 'Chunking' to successfully move large files.

Document & File Issues