Microsoft 365 Migration

How to Create a Site Map for SharePoint Foundation 2010

Elise Williams Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to document and generate a visual or structural site map of a SharePoint Foundation 2010 environment before migrating to Microsoft 365.

How to Create a Site Map for SharePoint Foundation 2010

Product: SharePoint Foundation 2010
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Planning a site migration from an older SharePoint Foundation 2010 server to a new Microsoft 365 or Office 365 environment.
Observed behavior: SharePoint Foundation 2010 lacks a dedicated button or command under Site Actions to instantly generate and export a complete site map.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Collection Administrator permissions in SharePoint Foundation 2010 so you can access all hidden lists, sub-sites, and structural data required for a complete map.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Built-in Site Settings and Excel Export

Utilize SharePoint's native hierarchy views to outline your site structure, and export list data to Excel for manual documentation.

While SharePoint Foundation 2010 does not have an automatic full-site mapping tool, you can piece together the architecture using existing administrative views and Excel integrations.

Access Site Settings

Navigate to the top level of your SharePoint site, click on 'Site Actions' in the upper-left corner, and select 'Site Settings' from the drop-down menu.

View Site Hierarchy

Under the 'Site Administration' section, click on 'Site hierarchy'. If the publishing infrastructure feature is enabled, you can also look for 'Content and Structure' to view a tree layout of your site collections and webs.

Export List Data to Excel

To document specific lists or document libraries, navigate to the target list, select the 'List' or 'Library' tab on the ribbon, and click the 'Export to Excel' button to save the structural data locally.

Use Built-in Site Settings and Excel Export

Manual Mapping: For smaller sites, manually reviewing the site hierarchy and documenting it in an Excel spreadsheet is often the most accurate way to plan your Microsoft 365 migration.

Solution 2

Use a Third-Party Sitemap Generator

Automatically crawl and map your SharePoint 2010 site using external sitemap generation software.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Upgrade Your Office Workflow with WPS Office

While planning your Microsoft 365 migration, consider WPS Office as a lightweight, cost-effective alternative for handling your exported SharePoint site maps and daily document tasks. It offers full compatibility with Microsoft Office formats without the hefty subscription fees.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer, then follow the on-screen instructions to set it up on your PC or Mac.
2. Open Exported SharePoint Data: Locate the Excel file (.iqy or .xlsx) you exported from SharePoint Foundation 2010, right-click it, and select 'Open with WPS Spreadsheet'.
3. Plan Your Migration: Use WPS Spreadsheet's formatting and outlining tools to structure your new site map and prepare for your migration.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) for viewing and organizing exported SharePoint list dataLightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-use interface that requires zero learning curveA powerful free alternative to costly Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 subscriptionsAll-in-one suite covering Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF editing

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SharePoint Foundation 2010 have a native XML sitemap generator?

No, SharePoint Foundation 2010 does not include a native tool for generating standard XML sitemaps. You must rely on manual documentation through Site Settings, Excel exports, or external third-party web crawlers.

How can I view the basic site hierarchy in SharePoint 2010?

You can view the basic site structure by clicking 'Site Actions' > 'Site Settings', and then selecting 'Site hierarchy' under the Site Administration section. This will display a list of your current sub-sites.

Can I export my entire SharePoint site structure to Excel at once?

No, SharePoint 2010 does not allow you to export the entire site collection structure in a single click. You must export individual lists and libraries using the 'Export to Excel' button on the ribbon, or use external software to map the whole site.

Why do I need a site map before migrating to Microsoft 365?

Documenting your current SharePoint Foundation 2010 structure helps identify redundant or obsolete content, allows you to plan a cleaner architecture for Microsoft 365, and ensures no critical lists or document libraries are left behind during the migration.

Migration & Recovery