How to Ensure All Files Are Transferred to SharePoint Successfully
Question details
The user needs a reliable method to verify and guarantee that all files copied from local drives or other cloud services are fully uploaded to SharePoint.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Migrating files and folders from Dropbox, OneDrive, or a USB drive to a SharePoint document library.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive reports that synchronization is complete, but not all files successfully reach the SharePoint library, causing discrepancies in file counts.
Before starting your file transfer, ensure you have a stable internet connection and verify that none of your files contain unsupported characters or exceed SharePoint's file size limits.
Upload Files Directly via the SharePoint Web Interface
Bypassing the local OneDrive sync client and uploading directly to SharePoint Online ensures a more reliable transfer and makes verification easier.
Relying solely on local OneDrive synchronization can sometimes result in silent failures if files have path issues or syncing gets stuck. Direct web uploads provide immediate feedback on the success of each file transfer.
Navigate to your SharePoint Online document library using your preferred web browser and log in with your Microsoft credentials.
Click the 'Upload' button located in the command bar at the top of the document library.
Choose either 'Files' or 'Folder' from the dropdown menu, then select the content from your local drive, USB, or synced Dropbox folder.
Keep the browser tab open and watch the upload progress bar in the top right corner. Once finished, check the notification panel for any items that failed to upload.
Verify Item Counts and Troubleshoot Sync Errors
If you must use the OneDrive desktop app to sync large migrations, manually verifying the file count and resolving local restrictions is crucial.
Looking for a Simpler Way to Manage Documents? Try WPS Office
If complex Microsoft 365 migrations and SharePoint synchronization issues are slowing down your workflow, consider WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for document creation, offering built-in cloud storage for reliable syncing and seamless collaboration without the hassle.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the software: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Sync your files: Sign in to your WPS account to automatically back up and sync your important documents via WPS Cloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does OneDrive say sync is complete when files are missing in SharePoint?
This often happens if certain files have unsupported characters, invalid file types, or exceed path length limits. OneDrive may skip these problematic files while reporting the overall valid folder contents as synced.
How do I check the exact file count in a SharePoint library?
You can view the item count by looking at the bottom left corner of the modern document library view, or by enabling the 'Item Child Count' and 'Folder Child Count' columns in your library view settings.
Are there file size limits when transferring to SharePoint Online?
Yes, the maximum file upload size for SharePoint Online is currently 250 GB per individual file. However, extremely large files or massive bulk uploads may experience timeouts depending on your network connection speed.
Can I migrate files from Dropbox directly to SharePoint?
SharePoint does not have a native one-click sync from Dropbox. You must either manually download the files to a local drive and upload them to SharePoint, or use a third-party cloud migration tool to automate the transfer.
