Migrating File Shares to SharePoint Online using PnP PowerShell

Organizations often store their files in network file shares, but SharePoint Online offers a more secure, accessible, and collaborative solution. Migrating file shares to SharePoint Online using PnP PowerShell allows for:

✔ Efficient bulk file migration
✔ Automation to save time
✔ Retention of metadata (e.g., modified dates, owners)

This guide walks you through the step-by-step process of migrating file shares to SharePoint Online using PnP PowerShell.

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Step 1: Install and Connect to SharePoint Online

Ensure PnP PowerShell is installed:

Install-Module -Name PnP.PowerShell -Force -AllowClobber
Update-Module -Name PnP.PowerShell

Connect to SharePoint Online:

Connect-PnPOnline -Url "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/YourSite" -Interactive

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Step 2: Define Source and Destination Paths

Specify the file share path and target SharePoint library:

$sourcePath = "\\NetworkShare\Files"
$destinationLibrary = "Shared Documents"

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Step 3: Retrieve Files from the File Share

Fetch files from the source directory:

$files = Get-ChildItem -Path $sourcePath -Recurse -File
Write-Host "Total files found: $($files.Count)"

✔ Ensures all files are identified for migration.

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Step 4: Upload Files to SharePoint Online

Loop through files and upload them to SharePoint Online:

foreach ($file in $files) {
    $relativePath = $file.FullName.Replace($sourcePath, "").TrimStart("\")
    
    Add-PnPFile -Path $file.FullName -Folder "$destinationLibrary/$relativePath"
    Write-Host "Uploaded: $($file.FullName)"
}

Write-Host "File migration completed successfully."

✔ Migrates all files while maintaining folder structure.

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Step 5: Preserve Metadata (Modified & Created Dates)

By default, SharePoint assigns new timestamps to uploaded files. To retain original metadata:

foreach ($file in $files) {
    $relativePath = $file.FullName.Replace($sourcePath, "").TrimStart("\")
    
    # Upload file
    $uploadedFile = Add-PnPFile -Path $file.FullName -Folder "$destinationLibrary/$relativePath"

    # Update metadata
    Set-PnPListItem -List $destinationLibrary -Identity $uploadedFile.ListItemAllFields.Id -Values @{
        "Modified" = $file.LastWriteTime;
        "Created" = $file.CreationTime
    }

    Write-Host "Uploaded and metadata updated: $($file.FullName)"
}

Write-Host "File migration with metadata preservation completed."

✔ Ensures original timestamps remain intact in SharePoint.

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Step 6: Automate Migration with Task Scheduler

To run the script automatically:

1. Save the script as FileShareMigration.ps1.
2. Open Task Scheduler → Create Basic Task.
3. Set Trigger → Daily, Weekly, or Custom Interval.
4. Set Action → Start a Program.
5. Use this PowerShell execution command: -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Scripts\FileShareMigration.ps1"

✔ Automates file share migration at regular intervals.

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Step 7: Verify Migration

To confirm successful migration:

Get-PnPListItem -List "Shared Documents" | Select-Object Title, FileRef, Modified, Created

✔ Displays uploaded file details in SharePoint.