Fix Empty Folders After Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 Migration
Question details
A Google Workspace mailbox migration to Microsoft 365 completed without errors, but resulted in empty folders and missing data.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Migrating email messages, calendars, and contacts from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365.
- Observed behavior
- Gmail labels convert into empty folders without importing messages. Calendar and contact data are also missing, yet the migration batch status incorrectly shows no errors.
Ensure you have Microsoft 365 global administrator privileges and your migration batch report details handy before reaching out to support.
Open a Service Request with Microsoft 365 Technical Support
Because the migration status showed no errors but failed to transfer data, Microsoft support engineers must inspect the backend migration logs.
Forum moderators and standard troubleshooting tools do not have access to backend server logs. Only Microsoft technical support engineers can analyze the specific throttling or synchronization failures that caused the empty folders.
Go to the Microsoft 365 admin center and log in using your global administrator credentials.
Click on 'Support' in the left-hand navigation menu, then select 'Help & support'.
Type a brief description of the issue, such as 'Google Workspace migration created empty folders and missing contacts', and press Enter.
Scroll to the bottom of the suggestions, click on 'Contact Support', and fill out the form to submit a service request.
Contact Your Microsoft Reseller's Support Provider
If your Microsoft 365 subscription was purchased through a third-party reseller or Cloud Solution Provider (CSP), they are responsible for your initial technical support.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management
While Microsoft 365 support handles your email migration backend issues, consider WPS Office as a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for your daily document productivity. It offers a familiar interface and works effortlessly with all standard Office formats.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process in minutes.
- 3. Open Your Office Documents: Launch WPS Office and easily open, edit, or save your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Gmail labels become empty folders in Microsoft 365?
During the migration process, Microsoft 365 first creates the folder structure based on your Gmail labels. If the synchronization encounters a backend throttling issue or interruption, the emails fail to download into those folders, leaving them empty despite the batch reporting a successful status.
Can I restart the Google Workspace migration batch to fix the missing data?
You can attempt to delete the affected users from the migration batch and re-add them, or recreate the batch entirely. However, if the issue is rooted in backend server communication, the problem will likely persist until Microsoft support engineers intervene.
Are my calendar and contacts permanently lost if they didn't migrate?
No, your original calendar events and contacts remain safely stored in your Google Workspace account. The migration process only copies data to Microsoft 365; it does not delete or alter the source data in Gmail.
