How to Export a List of All SharePoint Sites to CSV
Question details
The user needs to export a complete list of all active SharePoint sites into a CSV file for auditing, reporting, or management purposes.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing or auditing active sites within an organization's SharePoint environment.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to generate and download a CSV file containing the list of active SharePoint sites from the Admin Center.
Ensure you have SharePoint Administrator or Global Administrator permissions in your Microsoft 365 tenant to access the SharePoint Admin Center and perform site exports.
Export Active Sites via SharePoint Admin Center
Use the built-in export feature in the SharePoint Admin Center to download a CSV file of all active sites.
The SharePoint Admin Center provides a direct way to export your organization's site hierarchy. This export includes valuable metadata such as site URLs, storage limits, primary administrators, and templates used.
Navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin center in your browser, log in with your administrator credentials, and open the SharePoint Admin Center from the left-hand menu.
In the SharePoint Admin Center's left navigation pane, expand the 'Sites' menu and click on 'Active sites' to view the full list of your organization's sites.
Locate and click the 'Export' button on the command bar above the site list. SharePoint will begin generating the data.
Wait for the download prompt to appear and save the generated CSV file to a secure location on your local computer.
Analyze Your SharePoint CSV Exports Easily with WPS Office
While exporting SharePoint sites requires the SharePoint Admin Center, you need a reliable spreadsheet tool to view, format, and analyze the resulting CSV file. WPS Office offers a free, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, perfect for managing your exported administrative data.
- 1. Launch WPS Spreadsheet: Open WPS Office on your computer and select the Spreadsheet application.
- 2. Import the CSV File: Go to 'Menu' > 'Open' and select the SharePoint CSV file you just downloaded.
- 3. Format and Analyze: Use the built-in Data tools to filter columns, adjust widths, and highlight important site metrics for your reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Export button missing in the SharePoint Admin Center?
The Export button may be missing if you do not have the necessary administrator permissions (such as SharePoint Administrator or Global Admin) or if the page hasn't fully loaded. Verify your role assignments and refresh the page.
Can I export a list of deleted SharePoint sites?
Yes, you can export deleted sites by navigating to the 'Deleted sites' section under 'Sites' in the SharePoint Admin Center and clicking the 'Export' button on that specific page.
How do I fix formatting issues when opening the exported CSV file?
If the CSV data appears clustered in a single column when opened, use the 'Text to Columns' feature in your spreadsheet application (like WPS Spreadsheet) and set the delimiter to commas to separate the data properly.
Are all site properties included in the CSV export?
The CSV export includes the properties currently visible as columns in the active sites list. To include specific properties like storage usage or external sharing status, customize your view to add those columns before clicking Export.
