I was using Move To command to move >1000 files from SharePoint document library to a OneDrive account. Then all the data still in the channel disappeared,

Jenifer Nech 0 Reputation points
2025-12-04T20:21:28.4733333+00:00

I was not finished moving the files and now I do not see any files in the document library. I have waited a number of days as sometimes SharePoint Online or Edge seems to have issues. Here is one: When I would open the SharePoint site in Edge I would see a screen full of code. There was a checkbox with a label like (pretty text???) When I clicked it I saw code with syntax. I need serious help with this issue. I have been unable to open a ticket with Microsoft Business account.

Microsoft 365 and Office | SharePoint | For business | Windows
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  1. Q&A Assist
    2025-12-04T20:22:39.4866667+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    It sounds like you are experiencing issues with missing files after attempting to move them from a SharePoint document library to a OneDrive account. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the situation:

    1. Check the Recycle Bin: Sometimes, files that are deleted or moved may end up in the Recycle Bin. Check both the SharePoint and OneDrive Recycle Bins to see if your files are there.
    2. Verify the Move Operation: Ensure that the move operation was completed successfully. If the operation was interrupted, some files may not have been moved. You can try moving a smaller batch of files to see if the issue persists.
    3. Clear Browser Cache: Since you mentioned seeing a screen full of code when opening SharePoint in Edge, it might be helpful to clear your browser cache and cookies. This can resolve display issues and help with loading the SharePoint site correctly.
    4. Use the OneDrive Sync Client: Instead of using the Move To command directly in the browser, consider using the OneDrive sync client to sync files from SharePoint to your local machine and then move them to OneDrive. This method can be more reliable.
    5. Contact Support: If you are unable to open a ticket with Microsoft, try reaching out through other support channels, such as Microsoft support forums or community support.

    If the problem persists, it may be beneficial to consult with your SharePoint administrator for further assistance.


    References:

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  2. Jenifer Nech 0 Reputation points
    2025-12-04T20:31:31.95+00:00

    There are many files in the Recycle bin. Since there are so many I did a spot check and verified that the files were moved to the OneDrive. Should they not be in the Recycle bin?

    I only moved <100 at a time. It was long and laborious. We do not have a 3rd party tool and no large budget.

    I have been doing this for several document libraries and this is the first time I have experienced the disappearance of files.

    I agree, I will stop using Move To. I will use the Sync option. However should I restore from a backup and start over? This is a 1TB document library. Mainly .pdf files and some >1GB. Apparantly Adobe allows a user to create huge .pdf files


  3. Jay Tr 6,310 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-12-04T21:33:14.8333333+00:00

    Hi @Jenifer Nech

    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum. 

    Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience with us.  

    I understand the inconvenience this situation has caused and sincerely apologize for any disruption. Here’s how we can resolve the issue: 

    1. Increase OneDrive Storage 

    Verify if your OneDrive quota is sufficient. If not, free up space or request additional capacity from your IT admin. 

    1. Recover Files 

    Check the SharePoint Recycle Bin and the second-stage Recycle Bin for missing files. Restore them before space fills up again. 

    • Open OneDrive on the web, then go to Recycle Bin. 

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    • Scroll to the bottom and open the Second-stage Recycle Bin. 

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    • If you see the files, select Restore. 
    1. Restore OneDrive to an earlier date 
    • In OneDrive settings, choose Restore your OneDrive. 

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    • Pick a date before the files disappeared and restore. 

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    1. Use Sync Instead of “Move To” 

    For large libraries or PDFs, use the Sync option or upload manually. Avoid “Move To” for bulk transfers. 

    1. Backup Restoration 

    If recovery from the Recycle Bin doesn’t bring all files back, restore from backup only for missing items. No need to start over if recovery succeeds. 

    Additionally, please confirm if you are an IT admin for your organization. If yes, I recommend using your organization's administrator account or contacting your IT administrator. They can submit a support request through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center for further assistance. 

    Note: We appreciate your understanding regarding the scope of support available through this forum. As moderators, our role is to provide general guidance and assist with common troubleshooting steps. While we do not have access to internal systems or administrative tools required to resolve account-specific or backend-related issues but we’ll continue doing our best to support you within the scope of our responsibilities.    

    I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can work together to resolve this.  

    Thank you for your patience and your understanding. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.  

    I'm looking forward to your reply. 


    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment". 

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.     


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