# How to use the SharePoint Migration Tool

Microsoft's native SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) allows you to migrate to SharePoint Online from different on-premises SharePoint versions. The tool helps you migrate site contents and file shares and provides a scan option to check for any potential issues. Follow these steps:

## Getting started with SPMT

1. [Download](http://spmtreleasescus.blob.core.windows.net/install/default.htm) and install the SharePoint Migration Tool.
2. Once installed, sign in using your admin account's credentials to get started. This requires the account to have at least the **Site Admin** privilege.
3. Once logged in, you can choose your preferred migration option:
   - [Migrate SharePoint site content](#migrate-sharepoint)
   - [Migrate file share content](#migrate-file-share)

## Steps to migrate SharePoint site content

1. Click **Add new migration** under the *SharePoint* section.

   ![Adding a new migration task using the SharePoint Migration Tool](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/images/adding-sharepoint-migration-task.png)

2. Select the **Single source URL** method to migrate your SharePoint on-premises server.
3. Select the migration type as **Site migration**.
4. Enter the URL of the source site you'd like to migrate and provide the login credentials if prompted. It is recommended that you use the site collection admin's details. Select **Only this site** to migrate this site alone and click **Next**.

   ![Selecting source site for migration in the SharePoint Migration Tool](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/images/selecting-source-site-for-sharepoint-migration.png)

5. Enter the URL of your destination site and click **Next**.
6. Review your migration task and migration settings, and click **Start** to begin the migration process.

   ![Reviewing settings before migration in the SharePoint Migration Tool](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/images/reviewing-sharepoint-migration-settings.png)

7. Once the migration is completed, click **View reports** to get detailed information on the migration.

   ![Viewing a completed migration task's reports in the SharePoint Migration Tool](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/images/viewing-completed-migration-reports.png)

## Steps to migrate file share content

1. Click **Add new migration** in the *File share* section.

   ![Adding a new file share task using the SharePoint Migration Tool](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/images/adding-file-share-migration-task.png)

2. Select the **Single file share source** method.
3. Select the source folder that you'd like to migrate and choose if you'd like to migrate the folder or only the contents inside the folder. Click **Next**.

   ![Selecting source folder for file share in SharePoint Migration Tool](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/images/selecting-source-folder.png)

4. Select the destination site and the document library or its folder to which you'd like to migrate. Click **Next**.

   ![Selecting the destination for file share migration in SharePoint Migration Tool](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/images/selecting-file-share-destination.png)

5. Review your migration task and migration settings, and click **Start** to begin the migration process.
6. Once the migration is completed, click **View reports** to get detailed information on the migration.

## Limitations of using SPMT for SharePoint migrations

- Lack of automation features require you to use PowerShell scripts.
- Requires elevated privileges like Global Admin, SharePoint Admin, or Site Admin.
- Restrictions in file types and selection levels limit your migration scope.

## Benefits of using SharePoint Manager Plus for SharePoint migrations

SPMT's limitations make migration a hassle. ManageEngine SharePoint Manager Plus helps you [overcome these migration challenges](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/sharepoint-online-migration-challenges-and-issues.html) with a unified solution.

- [Seamless migration](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/sharepoint-office365-migration-tool.html): Migrate to SharePoint Online or between different tenants and farms without any PowerShell scripts.
- **Automate tasks:** Schedule your files to migrate automatically during nonbusiness hours to save time and effort.
- **Preserve metadata:** Set values for custom columns to preserve metadata and prevent confusion.
- [Granular delegation](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/sharepoint-helpdesk-delegation-tool.html): Assign migration, auditing, and management tasks to non-admin users without elevating their native privileges.
- [Complete visibility](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/sharepoint-reporting-tool.html): Generate detailed reports on your SharePoint infrastructure to understand your source and target to ensure a smooth migration.

## Related Links

- [An overview of SharePoint](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/what-is-microsoft-sharepoint.html)
- [How to add an user to a SharePoint site?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-add-users-in-sharepoint.html)
- [How to change SharePoint group permissions?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-change-group-permissions-in-sharepoint.html)
- [How to check permissions of SharePoint users and groups?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-check-sharepoint-permissions.html)
- [How to configure audit logging for a SharePoint site collection?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-enable-audit-log-in-sharepoint.html)
- [How to check the size of a SharePoint site?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-check-sharepoint-site-size.html)
- [How to check the size of SharePoint storage?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-check-sharepoint-storage-size.html)
- [How to migrate sharepoint on premises to online?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-migrate-sharepoint-on-premises-to-online.html)
- [How to view audit log reports in SharePoint Online?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-view-sharepoint-online-audit-log-reports.html)
- [How to audit a SharePoint site collection?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-audit-a-sharepoint-site-collection.html)
- [How to audit file usage in SharePoint?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-audit-file-usage-in-sharepoint.html)
- [How to configure audit log trimming?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-configure-audit-log-trimming.html)
- [How to migrate list from one site collection to another site collection?](https://www.manageengine.com/sharepoint-management-reporting/kb/how-to-migrate-list-from-one-site-collection-to-another.html)