Migrating SharePoint data from one Microsoft 365 tenant to another is a complex process that requires careful planning, permissions management, and the right migration method. Organizations typically perform SharePoint tenant-to-tenant migration during mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, or tenant consolidation projects.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about SharePoint tenant to tenant migration, including prerequisites, preparation steps, migration methods, and best practices based on real migration scenarios.

What is SharePoint Tenant to Tenant Migration?

SharePoint tenant to tenant migration is the process of transferring SharePoint Online content from one Microsoft 365 tenant (source tenant) to another Microsoft 365 tenant (target tenant).

The migration typically includes:

• SharePoint sites

• Document libraries

• Lists

• Permissions

• Metadata

• Site structure

• Workflows

• Version history

For example, if a company using TenantA.onmicrosoft.com merges with another company using TenantB.onmicrosoft.com, administrators must move SharePoint content between these tenants.

Common Scenarios for SharePoint Tenant Migration

Organizations perform tenant-to-tenant migration in several situations:

1. Company Merger or Acquisition

Two companies combine their Microsoft 365 environments into one tenant.

2. Tenant Consolidation

Large organizations with multiple tenants consolidate them into a single tenant.

3. Business Divestiture

A department or subsidiary moves to a new Microsoft 365 tenant.

4. Rebranding or Domain Change

Organizations restructure their Microsoft 365 architecture.

Key Challenges in SharePoint Tenant to Tenant Migration

Before starting the migration, it is important to understand potential challenges.

Identity Mapping

Users in the source tenant must be mapped to users in the destination tenant.

Example:

Permissions Migration

SharePoint permissions must be reconfigured for the new tenant.

Metadata and Version History

Some migration methods may not preserve these elements.

External Sharing Links

External links often break during migration.

Large Data Volumes

Organizations with terabytes of SharePoint data require advanced planning.

Prerequisites for SharePoint Tenant to Tenant Migration

Before performing the migration, ensure the following requirements are met.

1. Administrative Access

You must have:

• Global Administrator access in both tenants

• SharePoint Administrator permissions

2. SharePoint Storage Availability

Verify that the target tenant has enough storage for migrated data.

3. Create Target Users

Users must exist in the destination tenant before migration.

You can create users using:

• Microsoft 365 Admin Center

• Azure Active Directory

• PowerShell

4. Domain Verification

Ensure required domains are verified in the target tenant.

5. Backup SharePoint Data

Always create a backup before starting migration.

SharePoint Tenant to Tenant Migration Methods

There are several ways to migrate SharePoint between tenants.

Method 1: Manual Migration (Download & Upload)

This is the simplest method but suitable only for small migrations.

Step 1: Download SharePoint Documents

1. Open the SharePoint site.

2. Navigate to the Document Library.

3. Select files or folders.

4. Click Download.

SharePoint will download the data as a ZIP file.

Step 2: Upload Files to Target Tenant

1. Log into the destination SharePoint tenant.

2. Open the target document library.

3. Click Upload → Files or Folder.

4. Upload the downloaded files.

Limitations

• Metadata is not preserved

• Permissions are lost

• Version history is removed

• Time-consuming for large migrations

Method 2: OneDrive Sync Method

Another approach is using the OneDrive Sync client.

Step 1: Sync Source SharePoint Library

1. Open the source SharePoint library.

2. Click Sync.

3. Sync the library with your local machine.

Step 2: Sync Target Library

1. Open the destination SharePoint library.

2. Click Sync.

Step 3: Copy Files

Copy files from the source synced folder to the target synced folder.

The OneDrive client will automatically upload the data.

Limitations

• Permissions are not preserved

• Metadata loss

• Version history not retained

Method 3: PowerShell-Based Migration

Administrators can automate migration tasks using PowerShell scripts.

Step 1: Install SharePoint Online Management Shell

Step 2: Connect to SharePoint Online

Step 3: Export SharePoint Data

PowerShell scripts can extract SharePoint lists, libraries, and structure.

However, PowerShell alone cannot perform full tenant-to-tenant migration.

Limitations

• Complex scripting

• Not ideal for large migrations

• Cannot fully migrate site structure

Method 4: Using a Professional Migration Tool (Recommended)

For organizations migrating large volumes of SharePoint data between Microsoft 365 tenants, manual and PowerShell methods are often unreliable and time-consuming. In real-world enterprise scenarios, administrators typically rely on automated migration software to simplify the process and ensure data integrity.

One such reliable solution is the SysTools SharePoint Migration Tool, which enables administrators to securely migrate SharePoint Online data from one tenant to another while preserving important attributes such as permissions, metadata, and document versions.

Step-by-Step SharePoint Tenant to Tenant Migration Process

Here is the complete migration workflow used by IT administrators.

Step 1: Assess SharePoint Environment

First, analyze the existing SharePoint environment.

Check:

• Number of sites

• Document libraries

• Total data size

• Permissions

• Custom workflows

• Third-party integrations

Tools like SharePoint Admin Center or PowerShell can help collect this information.

Step 2: Prepare Target SharePoint Environment

Next, prepare the destination tenant.

Tasks include:

• Creating site collections

• Creating user accounts

• Configuring permissions

• Allocating storage

Step 3: Run Pilot Migration

Before migrating all data, perform a test migration.

A pilot migration helps identify:

• Permission issues

• File conflicts

• Performance problems

Step 4: Perform Full Migration

Once testing is successful, start the full migration.

Migrate:

• Sites

• Libraries

• Lists

• Documents

• Permissions

• Metadata

Step 5: Validate Migrated Data

After migration, verify:

• File count

• Folder structure

• Permissions

• Version history

• Metadata fields

Step 6: Redirect Users to the New Tenant

Once validation is complete:

• Inform users

• Update links

• Disable the old tenant

Best Practices for SharePoint Tenant to Tenant Migration

Based on real migration projects, here are some important best practices.

Perform a Detailed Migration Assessment

Always analyze your SharePoint environment before migration.

Clean Up Unnecessary Data

Remove outdated files and unused sites.

Schedule Migration During Low Usage

Perform migrations during weekends or non-working hours.

Communicate With Users

Notify employees about downtime and migration plans.

Maintain Backup

Always keep a backup until the migration is verified.

Post-Migration Tasks

After migration, perform these tasks:

Verify Permissions

Ensure users can access required files.

Test SharePoint Features

Validate workflows, lists, and integrations.

Update Internal Links

Replace links pointing to the old tenant.

Monitor Performance

Check SharePoint performance after migration.

SharePoint Tenant to Tenant Migration Checklist

Before starting migration, verify this checklist.

1. Source tenant admin access
2.  Target tenant admin access
3. User mapping completed
4. Domain verification completed
5. Backup created
6. Migration tool configured
7. Pilot migration completed

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does SharePoint tenant migration take?

Migration time depends on:

• Data size

• Internet bandwidth

• Number of sites

Large migrations may take several days or weeks.

Does SharePoint tenant migration preserve permissions?

Manual methods do not preserve permissions. Professional migration tools can retain permissions.

Can Microsoft perform tenant to tenant migration?

Microsoft does not provide a direct built-in tool for full tenant migrations. Organizations usually rely on migration tools or scripts.

Is SharePoint migration possible without downtime?

Yes. Many migration tools support incremental migration, allowing users to continue working during migration.

Conclusion

SharePoint tenant to tenant migration is a critical process that requires proper planning, testing, and execution. While manual methods work for small migrations, large organizations should use professional migration tools to ensure data integrity, permission preservation, and minimal downtime.

By following the step-by-step process, migration checklist, and best practices outlined in this guide, administrators can successfully migrate SharePoint data between Microsoft 365 tenants without data loss.