How to Migrate from SharePoint 2019 to SharePoint Online?

Upgrading from SharePoint 2019 to SharePoint Online can be an uphill task since one is an on-premises version while the other is online (cloud-based). But with careful planning and execution, the migration can be done smoothly. SharePoint Online is a cloud-based service that offers a range of features and benefits over the on-premises versions of SharePoint, including accessibility, scalability, cost-efficiency, and more.

In this blog post, we will discuss the steps to migrate SharePoint 2019 to SharePoint Online in detail.

However, before we start, it is essential to note that the migration process may vary depending on your organization’s size and the complexity of your SharePoint environment. The steps listed below can serve as a reference point for most such scenarios, but you can connect with our Microsoft SharePoint consulting expert team to address your specific migration needs.

How to Migrate from SharePoint 2019 to SharePoint Online?

Step 1: Assess the Current SharePoint 2019 Environment

Before starting the migration, you need to assess your current SharePoint 2019 environment to determine the scope of the migration, identify the customizations, and take inventory of the content. This step is crucial as it helps you to plan the migration strategy, including the time frame, resources required, and potential risks.

To assess your current SharePoint environment, consider the following:

• Customizations: Identify any customizations, including custom web parts, workflows, and templates.
• Content: Determine the size of your content database, including lists, libraries, and site collections.
• Users: Take note of the number of users and their permissions.
• Third-party solutions: List all third-party solutions integrated into SharePoint 2019.

Step 2: Plan the Migration

After assessing the current SharePoint environment, you can start planning the migration. The planning phase involves creating a roadmap for the migration, defining the scope, and identifying the resources required.

Here are some factors to consider when planning the migration:

• Migration scope: Determine the scope of the migration, including the content, users, and customizations to be migrated.
• Migration strategy: Choose the appropriate migration method, such as hybrid, staged, or cut-over migration. Timeline: Define the migration timeline, including the start date, end date, and any critical milestones.
• Resource allocation: Identify the resources required for the migration, including IT staff, hardware, and software.
• Backup and recovery: Develop a backup and recovery plan to ensure business continuity during the migration.

Step 3: Prepare SharePoint Online Environment

Before beginning to migrate the content, you need to prepare your SharePoint Online environment. This step involves creating a new site collection, configuring the necessary settings, and assigning permissions to the users.

Here’s what you need to do to prepare the SharePoint Online environment:

• Create a new site collection: Create a new site collection in SharePoint Online and configure the necessary settings.
• Configure the settings: Configure the site collection settings, including the site theme, language, and time zone.
• User permissions: Assign user permissions to the site collection based on their roles and responsibilities.

Step 4: Migrate the Content

Once you have prepared the SharePoint Online environment, you can start migrating the content from SharePoint 2019 to SharePoint Online. The migration process involves exporting the content from SharePoint 2019, converting it to the appropriate format, and importing it into SharePoint Online.

Here are the steps involved in the migration process:

• Export the content: Use the SharePoint Migration Tool or a third-party migration tool to export the content from SharePoint 2019 to a local folder.
• Convert the content: Convert the content to the appropriate format using a migration tool, such as the SharePoint Migration Tool or a third-party tool.
• Import the content: Import the converted content into SharePoint Online using the SharePoint Migration Tool or a third-party tool.

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Step 5: Test the Migrated Content

After migrating the content, you need to test it to ensure that it works as expected. This step involves validating the content, testing the customizations, and verifying the user.

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Conclusion

As mentioned above, migrating from SharePoint 2019 to SharePoint Online can be challenging. If you don’t have the resources or expertise to do it yourself, consider outsourcing the task to a professional service provider. 

At NGenious Solutions, we offer reliable and cost-effective Microsoft SharePoint consulting services that can help you upgrade to the newer versions seamlessly. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your SharePoint migration needs as well as our IT consulting services.