Copy SharePoint Site to Another Site: A Comprehensive Guide

Learn how to copy a SharePoint site to another site with this comprehensive guide. Explore methods like manual copying, PowerShell scripts, and automated solution.

Tech Mar 31, 2025 40 Add to Reading List

Copy SharePoint Site to Another Site: A Comprehensive Guide

SharePoint is a powerful platform used by organizations worldwide to store, organize, share, and manage information. It facilitates seamless collaboration, document management, and integration with other Microsoft tools. However, as organizations grow and evolve, the need to restructure their SharePoint environment arises. One common requirement is copying SharePoint sites to another site.

Whether you're consolidating sites, duplicating site templates for consistency, or migrating content between different SharePoint environments, the process of copying a SharePoint site can seem daunting. In this comprehensive guide, we will explain how to copy a SharePoint site to another site, including methods, tools, and best practices to achieve a smooth and effective transfer.

Methods to Copy a SharePoint Site to Another Site

1. Manual Site Copying via Save as Template

One of the simplest methods to copy a SharePoint site is by saving the existing site as a site template and then creating a new site using that template. This approach allows you to retain the configuration, lists, libraries, and structure of the original site.

Steps to Copy a SharePoint Site via Save as Template:

Navigate to the SharePoint Site you want to copy.
Go to the Site Settings page (click the gear icon in the upper right corner).
Under Site Actions, click Save site as a template.
Provide a name, description, and decide whether to include content. If you want to copy the content of the site along with its structure, make sure to select "Include Content."
Click OK to save the site template.
Now, navigate to the site collection where you want to copy the site.
Go to Site Settings, and under Web Designer Galleries, click Site Templates.
Upload the template you just created.
Once uploaded, you can use the template to create a new site, effectively copying the original site’s structure.

While this method is straightforward, there are limitations. For instance, it doesn’t work well with more complex configurations such as workflows, permissions, or external content types.

2. Using PowerShell to Copy a SharePoint Site

For more advanced users, PowerShell scripts can be an effective solution for copying a SharePoint site. PowerShell provides flexibility, especially when dealing with large or multiple sites.

Example PowerShell Script to Copy a SharePoint Site:

# Load the SharePoint cmdlets
Add-PSSnapin Microsoft.SharePoint.PowerShell -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

# Define the source and destination site URL
$sourceUrl = "http://sourceSite"
$destinationUrl = "http://destinationSite"

# Get the source site
$sourceSite = Get-SPSite $sourceUrl

# Create a new site at the destination URL
New-SPSite -Url $destinationUrl -Template "STS#0" -Title "Copied Site" -Description "This is a copied site."

# Copy content from the source to the destination
# Copy lists, libraries, and other objects manually
# More detailed content copy will require additional scripting

This PowerShell script is basic and will need to be customized depending on the content types and configurations you're working with. PowerShell provides a flexible solution for copying SharePoint sites, especially for more complex migrations or automated tasks.

3. Using SharePoint Migration Tools

For organizations looking to move content across SharePoint sites seamlessly, the SharePoint Migration Tool download offers a powerful and efficient solution. While there are several automated tools available, it stands out due to its ease of use, advanced features, and affordability. Whether you are migrating from SharePoint On-Premises to SharePoint Online or copying content from one site to another within the same environment, SysTools provides a reliable and scalable solution to make the process smooth and hassle-free.

4. Using Microsoft Power Automate (Flow)

Another method to copy SharePoint site data, especially lists and libraries, is through Microsoft Power Automate (formerly known as Flow). Power Automate allows you to create workflows that automatically move or copy items between SharePoint sites.

Steps to Create a Flow to Copy SharePoint Data:

Open Power Automate and create a new flow.
Set the trigger for the flow, such as “When an item is created” or “When an item is modified” in the source SharePoint list.
Add an action to copy the item to the destination SharePoint site.
Customize the flow to map the fields between the source and destination lists.
Test the flow to ensure it works as expected.

Using Power Automate is ideal for copying specific lists or items rather than copying the entire site. However, it can be combined with other methods to migrate data incrementally or automate repetitive tasks.

5. Manually Copying Content (Document Libraries, Lists, etc.)

If you only need to copy content (such as documents, lists, or libraries) and not the entire site structure, you can manually move or copy the data to the new site. This method is particularly useful for moving small amounts of content.

How to Manually Copy SharePoint Content:

Navigate to the source site and open the document library or list.
Select the documents or items you want to copy.
Use SharePoint's "Copy to" or "Move to" functionality to copy the content to another site or document library.
Alternatively, you can download the files and upload them to the new site.

This manual method works best for smaller migrations or transferring specific content without needing to replicate the full site structure.

Conclusion

Copying a SharePoint site to another site can be a critical task when reorganizing content, migrating to new environments, or replicating templates for other teams. With several available methods, from manual copying and PowerShell scripting to using third-party migration tools, organizations have flexibility in choosing the right solution based on the complexity and size of the migration.

Whether you're copying content, duplicating site templates, or performing a large-scale migration, the right approach will depend on your specific needs. By following best practices, testing the process, and utilizing the appropriate tools, you can ensure a smooth and successful SharePoint site copy with minimal disruption.