Forum Discussion

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

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

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
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
  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.
  - DanielaH
    Brass Contributor
    Apr 30, 2019
    ChrisWebbTech Hmmmm okay.
    I will need end users to be able to do this, who will naturally click on 'Move' and then get the error. ;)
    So are you experiencing the same in your tenancy or is it just me?