Forum Discussion

DanielaH's avatar
DanielaH
Brass Contributor
Apr 16, 2019

Move folder (incl content) between document libraries?

Hey,    I need to find out how a folder within a document library can be moved to another document library, including all files and sub-folders that may be contained in that folder.    It seems t...
Document Library
SharePoint Online
ChrisWebbTech's avatar
ChrisWebbTech
MVP
Apr 16, 2019
Move to should be what is used here. It should work. If you don't see a library or site to select to move too you may need to go "Follow" the site by navigating to that destination site homepage and follow in the top right corner. Once followed you will have it available in the Move to button.
DanielaH's avatar
DanielaH
Brass Contributor
Apr 16, 2019

Hi Maggan Wåhlin and ChrisWebbTech 

Thank you both for your responses. I am in the modern experience and my expectation was that I could simply move the folder, however I get the following error:

 

 

I should add that these folders have sub-folders, could that be the problem?

 

  • ChrisWebbTech's avatar
    ChrisWebbTech
    MVP
    Apr 26, 2019
    You may end up having to use Copy, and manually delete the files since it appears you have a preservation/retention policy on SharePoint, it won't let you delete folders unless they are empty. It's kind of annoying tbh. Might be what's causing this. I'm going to go test this myself since I didn't even think about this scenario when using preservation/retention policies.
    • DanielaH's avatar
      DanielaH
      Brass Contributor
      Apr 30, 2019

      ChrisWebbTech Thanks for your help. 

      It sounds like it may indeed be related to a preservation/retention policy on SharePoint, which won't let me delete folders unless they are empty. Do you know if there is a simple toggle in the SP Admin portal that I can turn on/off to fix this? ;)

      • ChrisWebbTech's avatar
        ChrisWebbTech
        MVP
        Apr 30, 2019
        No but if mind serves right you can sync the library and delete the folder via windows explorer ;).

        Don’t remember if explorer view let’s you. Been awhile.
  • Maggan Wåhlin's avatar
    Maggan Wåhlin
    Iron Contributor
    Apr 26, 2019

    DanielaH this look really strange to me. The message implies that you are trying to delete the folder... I have tried to move a folder with many subfolders and documents in my environment and this works just fine. Sorry that I can´t seem to help you out.

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