Converting SharePoint Classic Pages to Modern using PnP PowerShell

Many organizations still use classic SharePoint pages, which lack the modern responsive UI, web parts, and improved performance. Migrating to modern SharePoint pages enhances usability, accessibility, and mobile-friendliness.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

Identifying classic pages in SharePoint.
Converting them to modern pages using PnP PowerShell.
Validating and customizing modern pages.
Removing old classic pages after migration.

Step 1: Connect to SharePoint Online

Before converting pages, establish a connection to SharePoint Online using PnP PowerShell.

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

✔ Ensures a secure connection to your SharePoint Online site.

Step 2: Identify Classic Pages for Migration

To list all classic pages, run the following command:

$classicPages = Get-PnPListItem -List "Site Pages" | Where-Object { $_["FileLeafRef"] -like "*.aspx" -and $_["ClientSideApplicationId"] -eq $null }
$classicPages | Select FileLeafRef, FileRef, Created, Modified

✔ Retrieves all classic pages (excluding modern ones).
✔ Displays file names, paths, and dates for better tracking.

Step 3: Convert Classic Pages to Modern Pages

PnP PowerShell provides a command to transform classic pages into modern ones, retaining web parts.

foreach ($page in $classicPages) {
    ConvertTo-PnPClientSidePage -Identity $page["FileRef"] -Overwrite -KeepPageCreationModificationInformation
    Write-Host "Converted: $($page["FileLeafRef"])"
}

✔ Converts each classic page to a modern page.
✔ Retains metadata like creation date and modified date.

Step 4: Verify Converted Modern Pages

After conversion, verify that the modern pages appear correctly.

Get-PnPListItem -List "Site Pages" | Where-Object { $_["ClientSideApplicationId"] -ne $null } | Select FileLeafRef, FileRef

✔ Ensures that the converted modern pages are listed.

Step 5: Customize Modern Pages (Optional)

1. Add Sections and Web Parts

To enhance the converted page, you can add web parts dynamically.

Add-PnPClientSideText -Page "YourModernPage.aspx" -Text "Welcome to our new modern experience!"

✔ Adds a text section to a modern page.

Add-PnPClientSideWebPart -Page "YourModernPage.aspx" -DefaultWebPartType BingMap

✔ Inserts a Bing Maps web part.

Step 6: Remove Old Classic Pages (Optional)

If migration is successful, you can delete the old classic pages.

foreach ($page in $classicPages) {
    Remove-PnPListItem -List "Site Pages" -Identity $page.Id -Recycle
    Write-Host "Deleted: $($page["FileLeafRef"])"
}

✔ Moves old pages to Recycle Bin (instead of permanent deletion).

Step 7: Automate the Process for Multiple Sites

If you manage multiple sites, automate the conversion for all site collections.

$siteCollections = @("https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site1", "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/Site2")

foreach ($site in $siteCollections) {
    Connect-PnPOnline -Url $site -Interactive
    $classicPages = Get-PnPListItem -List "Site Pages" | Where-Object { $_["FileLeafRef"] -like "*.aspx" -and $_["ClientSideApplicationId"] -eq $null }
    
    foreach ($page in $classicPages) {
        ConvertTo-PnPClientSidePage -Identity $page["FileRef"] -Overwrite
        Write-Host "Converted: $($page["FileLeafRef"]) on site $site"
    }
}

✔ Converts classic pages across multiple sites automatically.