Moving Documents in Microsoft Teams

Table of Contents

Method# 1 – From SharePoint Within a Browser. 

Moving a document to another document library (outside of the source Team)

This allows you to move a document from one Team’s document library to another Team’s library. 

Steps: 

  1. Go to Teamsand navigate to the channel containing the document. 
  2. Click on the Filestab at the top of the channel.
  3. Locate the document you want to move.
  4. Click the three dots (ellipses)next to the document and select Open in SharePoint.
  5. This will open the document library in SharePoint in a new browser tab.
  6. In SharePoint, select the document(s) you want to move by checking the boxnext to each document.
  7. Click the Move tobutton at the top of the document library. (Note: “Move to”button is accessible through top of the document library and also by clicking on the three dots (ellipses) next to the document/s)
  8. In the Move to panel, browse sites to find the target site or document library
  9. Select the target SharePoint document library where you want to move the document.
  10. Select the destination folder and click Move here.
Note: You need EDITpermissions to both the source and target document libraries to move files. 

Moving a Document to Another Channel Within the Same Team 

You can move documents between channels in the same team, as they share the same Share Point document library but are organized in separate folders. 

Steps: 

  1. In Teams, go to the Filestab in the channel where the document is stored.
  2. Locate the document you want to move.
  3. Click the three dots (ellipses)next to the document and select Open in SharePoint.
  4. In SharePoint, you’ll see folders representing each channel of the team.
  5. Select the document(s) you want to move by checking the boxnext to them.
  6. Click the Move tobutton at the top.
  7. In the Move to panel, choose the current team’s site (it will appear under "Your sites").
  8. Browse through the folders to find the target channel (folders are named after channels).
  9. Select the target folder and click Move here.
Tip: Moving within the same team usually preserves file links and permissions, but always verify permissions after moving. 

Method# 2 – From Within Teams

Alternatively, you can move the files within the Teams app. 

Moving a Document From a Teams Channel Document Library to Another Document Library (Outside the Source Team) 

To move a document outside of the source Team’s document library (for example, to a different Team or SharePoint site): 

Steps: 

  1. In Teams, go to the Filestab in the channel where the document is stored.
  2. Locate the document you want to move.
  3. Click the three dots (ellipses)next to the document and select Move to.
  4. In the Move to panel, browse Teams and Channels.
  5. Navigate to the target team and select the desired Document Library or folder.
  6. Once the destination is selected, click Move here.
Note: You must have EDITpermissions to access both the source and target document libraries. 

Moving a Document From a Teams Channel to Another Channel Within the Same Team 

To move a document between channels within the same Team: 

Steps: 

  1. In Teams, go to the Filestab in the channel containing the document.
  2. Locate the document you wish to move.
  3. Click the three dots (ellipses)next to the document and select Move to.
  4. In the Move to panel, select the channel within the same team you want to move the document to. 
  5. Choose the desired folder or document library within that channel. 
  6. Click Move here.
Note: Moving the file within the same team generally preserves permissions, but always verify after moving. 

Impact on Links and Sharing Permissions 

When Do Links Break? 

Links to documents within Teams will break if the document is moved to a different team or site. However, links will generally remain intact if the document is moved within the same Team. To maintain links and shares when you move the files to a totally different site, always remember to check the Keep sharing with the same people box.  

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