How to Move an Entire Subsite in SharePoint Online
Question details
The user wants to move an entire SharePoint Online subsite from one parent site to another, but SharePoint Online does not provide a supported direct command for this operation.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A SharePoint site owner or administrator needs to relocate a complete subsite, including its structure, content, and settings, to a different parent site.
- Observed behavior
- SharePoint Online has no supported direct move command; Site Manager may return a File Not Found error when attempting the operation.
Confirm whether the subsite is a classic site and note its size and feature usage. If it is a modern site or exceeds template limits, plan to use a supported migration tool.
Save a Small Classic Subsite as a Template and Create a New Site
Use this built-in workaround when you need to move a small classic subsite and can accept the template size and feature limitations.
SharePoint Online does not currently provide a supported direct command for moving an entire subsite. For classic sites, saving a site as a template and creating a new site can recreate the subsite under a different parent. Templates have a default 50 MB limit and are supported only for classic sites.
Open the classic subsite in a browser, go to Site Settings, and confirm that Save site as a template is available under Site Actions.
Click Save site as a template, enter a template name, select Include Content if you need list and library data, and click OK.
Go to the target parent site, choose Site Contents or New Subsite, select the saved template from the Custom tab, and complete the site creation form.
After the new subsite is created, check permissions, workflows, navigation, and content to confirm the move is complete.
Use a Supported SharePoint Migration Tool for Large or Modern Subsites
Use this approach for larger sites, modern sites, or when you need a more complete migration of permissions, workflows, and metadata.
Edit Microsoft Office Files from SharePoint Workflows with WPS Office Free
WPS Office cannot move SharePoint Online subsites because that task belongs to SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365. However, WPS Office is a free, lightweight Office alternative that opens, edits, and saves Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files with format compatibility, a familiar interface, and seamless migration for daily document work.
- 1. Download WPS Office Free: Go to the official WPS Office website and click Download WPS Office Free to get the installer for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS.
- 2. Install and sign in: Install WPS Office, open the app, and sign in or create a free WPS account.
- 3. Open and save Microsoft Office files: Open .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files from your computer or downloaded SharePoint content, edit them, and save in Office-compatible formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint Online show a File Not Found error when I try to move a subsite through Site Manager?
SharePoint Online does not provide a supported direct command for moving an entire subsite. The Site Manager move operation can fail with File Not Found because the location or command is not supported. Use the classic site template workaround or a supported migration tool instead.
Can I move a modern SharePoint Online subsite by saving it as a template?
No. Save site as a template is supported only for classic sites. Modern sites should be migrated with a supported tool such as ShareGate or another approved solution.
What is the size limit for saving a SharePoint site as a template?
The default site template limit is 50 MB. If your site is larger, remove unnecessary content or use a migration tool.
What should I check after recreating a subsite from a template or migration tool?
Validate permissions, workflows, navigation, and content to make sure the new subsite behaves like the original.
Does WPS Office move SharePoint Online subsites?
No, WPS Office is not a SharePoint migration tool. It is a free Office alternative for editing Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files and can support your Microsoft 365 document work.
