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How to Migrate a SharePoint Site Between Microsoft 365 Tenants
Question details
The user needs to move a SharePoint site from one Microsoft 365 tenant to another due to organizational changes.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Handling company transitions such as mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures that require tenant-to-tenant data migration.
- Observed behavior
- Seeking official methods, tools, and best practices to securely transfer site content, permissions, and structure across Microsoft 365 tenants without data loss.
Ensure you have Global Administrator or SharePoint Administrator privileges in both the source and target Microsoft 365 tenants before initiating any migration tasks.
Use Microsoft Cross-Tenant SharePoint Migration (Preview)
Utilize Microsoft's built-in cross-tenant migration feature to seamlessly move sites, provided your organization meets the licensing requirements.
Microsoft offers a native cross-tenant SharePoint migration feature. However, it is currently in preview, requires specialized licensing, and is generally available only to Enterprise Agreement (EA) customers.
This method is ideal for enterprise organizations looking to avoid third-party software costs.
Confirm that your organization is an Enterprise Agreement customer and has acquired the necessary cross-tenant user data migration licenses for your Microsoft 365 environment.
Access Microsoft's Cross-tenant SharePoint migration documentation to understand the architectural requirements and limitations of the preview feature.
Set up identity mapping between the source and target tenants to ensure that user permissions and file ownership are accurately retained post-migration.
Use the designated SharePoint admin center interfaces or Microsoft-provided PowerShell cmdlets to execute the cross-tenant move.
Engage Microsoft Partners and Third-Party Tools
For complex migrations or organizations lacking Enterprise Agreement eligibility, work with certified partners and trusted third-party tools.
Enhance Post-Migration Team Productivity with WPS Office
While navigating complex Microsoft 365 tenant migrations, ensure your team maintains seamless document productivity. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, supporting all major document formats for uninterrupted collaboration during IT transitions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and launch WPS Office to access Writer, Spreadsheets, and Presentation modules.
- 3. Open Office Files Directly: Open your existing .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx files seamlessly without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cross-tenant SharePoint migration require special licensing?
Yes, Microsoft's native cross-tenant migration feature typically requires additional licensing, such as the cross-tenant user data migration license, and is currently targeted at Enterprise Agreement customers.
Can I use free tools to migrate my SharePoint site to a new tenant?
It is highly recommended to avoid untrusted free migration tools. Utilizing unverified software poses a severe risk of data loss, permission stripping, and incomplete metadata transfers.
What should I prepare before moving a SharePoint site?
You must carefully plan site structure mapping, configure identity mapping between tenants, review document permissions, audit custom metadata, and ensure you possess Global or SharePoint Administrator access in both tenants.
How long does a tenant-to-tenant migration usually take?
The duration varies significantly based on the volume of data, the complexity of site structures, API throttling limits, and whether you utilize Microsoft's native features or professional third-party enterprise tools.
