Moving from Microsoft SharePoint to Google Workspace? Cloudiway makes it simple to migrate your SharePoint document libraries directly to Google Shared Drives, preserving your folder structure, files, and permissions in the process.
Whether you're transitioning your entire organization to Google Workspace or consolidating content from a SharePoint environment after a merger, this guide walks you through the complete migration process. You can migrate SharePoint libraries using our Google Shared Drive Migration Tool. Learn more about how to migrate from Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace.
With Cloudiway, all you need to do is define a SharePoint site as the source, and the document libraries will be automatically migrated to the target Google Shared Drive - one folder per library, where the folder name matches the library name. See also Migration from Google Sites, Migration from SharePoint, and Migration from Google Shared Drives.
Watch: How to Migrate SharePoint to Google Shared Drive
Step-by-step video tutorial showing the complete migration process
Why Migrate to Google Shared Drives?
Organizations choose to migrate from SharePoint to Google Shared Drives for several strategic reasons:
Team Ownership
Shared Drives are owned by the organization, not individuals - files remain even when team members leave
Seamless Collaboration
Native integration with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for real-time collaboration
Google Workspace Integration
Deep integration with Gmail, Calendar, Meet, and other Google Workspace apps
Cost Optimization
Consolidate to a single platform and reduce licensing costs for multiple productivity suites
What Gets Migrated
Cloudiway ensures a comprehensive migration of your SharePoint content:
Each SharePoint document library is automatically converted to a folder in the target Shared Drive, with the folder name matching the library name.
Preparation Steps
Before starting your migration, complete these preparation tasks:
In SharePoint (Source)
- Inventory your sites - Document all SharePoint sites and their URLs from the SharePoint admin center
- Identify document libraries - List all libraries you want to migrate from each site
- Review permissions - Export current user and group permissions for mapping
- Clean up content - Remove obsolete files and resolve any checkout issues
- Note storage usage - Calculate total data volume for migration planning
In Google Workspace (Target)
- Create Shared Drives - Set up target Shared Drives for each SharePoint site
- Configure permissions - Ensure migration account has Manager access to target Shared Drives
- Map users - Prepare identity mapping between SharePoint and Google Workspace users
- Verify storage quotas - Ensure sufficient storage capacity in Google Workspace
Migration Process with Cloudiway
The SharePoint to Google Shared Drive migration follows a streamlined five-step process:
Create Connectors
Set up source (SharePoint) and target (Google Workspace) connectors with proper credentials and permissions.
Generate Migration List
Use auto-discovery to detect SharePoint sites or upload a CSV file with your site URLs and target Shared Drives.
Configure Identity Mapping
Create a mapping file to connect SharePoint users and groups to Google Workspace accounts for permission transfer.
Run Pre-Processing
Execute the pre-processing step to migrate permissions and validate that everything is properly configured.
Execute Migration
Launch the migration to transfer all document libraries, files, folders, and metadata to Google Shared Drives.
Step-by-Step Details
1. Create Connectors
In the Cloudiway platform, create connectors for both your source SharePoint environment and target Google Workspace. You'll need:
- SharePoint admin credentials with read access to all sites
- Google Workspace service account with domain-wide delegation
2. Generate Migration List
Use Cloudiway's auto-discovery to scan your SharePoint environment and automatically detect all sites and document libraries. Alternatively, upload a CSV file with your site URLs:
- Source SharePoint URL - The site collection or site URL
- Target Shared Drive ID - The unique ID of the destination Shared Drive
- Target User - A Manager of the target Shared Drive
3. Configure Identity Mapping
Create a CSV identity map connecting SharePoint users to Google Workspace accounts. This enables proper permission migration.
4. Run Pre-Processing
The pre-processing step validates your configuration and migrates permissions before the actual file transfer. This ensures users will have appropriate access once files are migrated.
5. Execute Migration
Launch the migration to transfer all content. Monitor progress through the Cloudiway dashboard and review completion reports.
Permissions Mapping
Proper permission mapping is critical for a successful migration. SharePoint and Google Shared Drives handle permissions differently, so understanding these differences is essential.
Identity Map Format
Your identity mapping CSV should include:
- Source Email - SharePoint user or Microsoft 365 group email
- Target Email - Corresponding Google Workspace user or group
External users (guests) don't need to be included in the identity map - their permissions are migrated automatically by default.
Best Practices
Follow these best practices to ensure a successful migration:
Before Migration
- Conduct a thorough inventory - Document all files, sizes, and permissions before starting
- Clean up SharePoint content - Remove duplicates, outdated files, and check in all documents
- Communicate with users - Inform teams about the migration timeline and any expected downtime
- Test with a pilot group - Migrate a small site first to validate the process
During Migration
- Monitor progress - Use Cloudiway's dashboard to track migration status
- Handle errors promptly - Address any failed items before proceeding
- Avoid making changes - Freeze content changes in SharePoint during migration
After Migration
- Validate content - Spot-check files and permissions in Google Shared Drives
- Update links - Redirect any SharePoint links to new Google Drive locations
- Train users - Provide guidance on using Google Shared Drives
- Decommission SharePoint - Archive or remove source content after validation
Ready to Migrate Your SharePoint Libraries?
Get started with Cloudiway's automated migration platform and move your content with confidence.
