Microsoft 365 Migration

How to Get SharePoint Server 2016 to SharePoint Online Migration Support

Aamir Naveed Akram Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

An organization requires official guidance and support to migrate from on-premises SharePoint Server 2016 to SharePoint Online.

How to Request Support for SharePoint Server 2016 to SharePoint Online Migration

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Evaluating a transition to cloud-based SharePoint Online and needing expert advice on handling customizations, maintaining administrative control, and shifting server ownership.
Observed behavior: The organization needs to submit a formal service request to Microsoft to connect with a migration specialist who can address environment-specific concerns.

Before you start

Ensure you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription and possess Global Administrator or SharePoint Administrator privileges to access the support portal.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a Support Ticket in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

The most effective way to receive customized guidance for a complex SharePoint migration is by submitting a service request directly through your administrator portal.

Migrating from an on-premises SharePoint Server 2016 environment to SharePoint Online often involves complexities surrounding legacy customizations and governance.

By utilizing the Microsoft 365 admin center, administrators can reach specialized Microsoft support engineers capable of providing tailored migration roadmaps.

Sign in as an Administrator

Navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin center (admin.microsoft.com) and log in using your Global Administrator or SharePoint Administrator credentials.

Access the Support Menu

Look at the left-hand navigation pane and click on the 'Support' tab to expand the support options.

Initiate a New Service Request

Select 'New service request' from the expanded menu to open the help and support pane.

Detail Your Migration Requirements

In the description field, explicitly state that you are migrating from SharePoint Server 2016 to SharePoint Online. Include details about your concerns regarding customizations, administrative control, and server ownership.

Submit the Support Ticket

Fill out any remaining contact information requested by the prompt, review your issue description, and click 'Submit' to route the ticket to a Microsoft support agent.

Create a Support Ticket in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Include Environment Details: To expedite the support process, list any heavily customized master pages, specific third-party web parts, or complex permissions structures currently active in your SharePoint 2016 environment.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Lightweight Document Workflow

While you navigate complex infrastructure migrations to SharePoint Online, empower your team with WPS Office for daily document creation. It offers a fast, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that keeps your team productive without the heavy overhead.

1. Download the Application: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the brief setup wizard.
3. Start Creating: Open the suite to immediately start editing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files with full format preservation.

Seamlessly compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx.Lightweight installation that consumes minimal system resources compared to traditional enterprise suites.Integrated cloud storage options to keep files accessible during large-scale server migrations.Familiar tabbed interface that requires zero learning curve for transitioning employees.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to custom web parts during a SharePoint Online migration?

Many traditional custom web parts built for SharePoint Server 2016 are not compatible with the modern experience in SharePoint Online. They typically need to be evaluated and rebuilt using the SharePoint Framework (SPFx).

How does server ownership change when migrating to SharePoint Online?

SharePoint Online is a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS). Microsoft assumes full ownership and maintenance of the underlying server infrastructure, while your organization retains full administrative control and ownership over the data and user access.

Is there a free tool available to help migrate data to SharePoint Online?

Yes, Microsoft provides the SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) for free. It is designed to help organizations seamlessly migrate lists, document libraries, and files from SharePoint Server 2016 directly into SharePoint Online.

Migration & Recovery