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How to Migrate Google Workspace to Microsoft 365
Question details
The user needs a comprehensive guide on migrating email, user data, and collaboration tools from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 Business Standard.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A business is transitioning from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 and needs to perform a staged user migration while maintaining real-time collaboration and chat functionality.
- Observed behavior
- The business aims to seamlessly move mailboxes and related data, set up Microsoft Teams for chat, and configure shared contacts and Excel co-authoring in the new environment.
Before starting the migration, ensure you have global admin access to both your Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 accounts, and verify your custom domain ownership in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Perform Migration Using the Exchange Admin Center
Use the built-in migration batch process in Microsoft 365 to smoothly transfer Google Workspace mailboxes, calendars, and contacts.
Microsoft provides an official, automated process to move your mailboxes. It requires creating a routing domain and mapping your users correctly.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center, navigate to the left menu, and open the Exchange admin center.
Go to Migration under the settings, click 'Add migration batch', and select 'Migrate to Exchange Online'.
Choose 'Google Workspace (Gmail) migration' as the migration type and follow the wizard to configure your routing domain.
Upload a CSV file mapping your Google Workspace email addresses to their corresponding Microsoft 365 user addresses.
Start the migration batch. Monitor the progress until all mailboxes show a 'Synced' status before finalizing the cutover.
Set Up Staged Migration and Mail Routing Coexistence
For larger businesses, perform a staged migration by carefully configuring DNS and mail-routing so users on both platforms can communicate during the transition.
Looking for a simpler productivity solution?
If your business is migrating away from Google Workspace but finds Microsoft 365 Business Standard too expensive or complex to manage, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Enjoy seamless document creation, real-time collaboration, and an intuitive interface that makes transitioning effortless.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I migrate Google Drive files to Microsoft OneDrive?
Yes, Microsoft provides the Migration Manager within the SharePoint admin center. This tool allows you to scan your Google Drive environment and seamlessly transfer files directly to OneDrive and SharePoint.
Will my business experience email downtime during the migration?
If your DNS and mail routing are configured correctly, users will not lose emails. Incoming emails will continue to deliver to Google Workspace until you explicitly update your MX records to point to Microsoft 365 during the final cutover.
Does Microsoft 365 support real-time collaboration like Google Sheets?
Yes, Microsoft Excel for the Web and the Microsoft 365 desktop applications support simultaneous co-authoring. Multiple users can edit the same spreadsheet in real time, and detailed version history is maintained depending on the file format.
How do I move shared contacts from Google Workspace?
Shared contacts can be exported from Google Workspace as a CSV file. An IT administrator can then import them into Microsoft 365 globally through the Exchange admin center or add them to shared mailboxes accessible via Outlook.
