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SharePoint Online: Upload a Folder using PowerShell

September 10, 2022 Salaudeen Rajack 14 Comments powershell copy folder to sharepoint online, sharepoint online upload folder powershell, upload folder to sharepoint online powershell

Requirement: Upload a Folder to SharePoint Online using PowerShell

How to upload a Folder to SharePoint Online Document Library?

You can upload a folder and its contents to SharePoint either using the web browser – upload button in the toolbar or by dragging and dropping the folder onto the library from Windows Explorer. Here is how to upload a folder with its sub-folders and files to a SharePoint Online document library:

Navigate to your SharePoint Online library >> Click on “Upload” from the toolbar, and choose the “Folder” option. You’ll get a Browse dialog box to select a folder from your computer.
Select a folder to copy that entire folder to the SharePoint Online library.

This will upload the folder and its contents from the local computer to SharePoint Online. Please note that this option doesn’t work in IE 11. (But works in Edge, Google Chrome, and Firefox browsers!). You can also upload a folder with files and sub-folders to SharePoint Online modern libraries, just by Drag and Drop!

PowerShell to upload a Folder to SharePoint Online (Including Folder, Sub-Folders, and Files):

We can also use PowerShell to copy a folder to SharePoint Online from the local disk. This script will be helpful for users who would like to upload folders of data from their personal computer into Sharepoint Online using PowerShell. The process can take some time, depending on the size of your files and internet connection speed. Let’s upload a folder to SharePoint Online using PowerShell. Here is my source:

upload folder to sharepoint online powershell

Prerequisites: Make sure you have installed SharePoint Online Client
Components SDK in your machine to use client-side assemblies. You can download it from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42038

PowerShell is a powerful tool for those looking to automate tedious tasks on the Microsoft platform. This article will cover uploading a folder from your local computer onto Sharepoint Online using PowerShell commands. Here is how to upload a Folder to SharePoint Online Document Library using PowerShell:

#Load SharePoint CSOM Assemblies
Add-Type -Path "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\16\ISAPI\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.dll"
Add-Type -Path "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\16\ISAPI\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.Runtime.dll"

#Function to Check if Folder Exists. If not, Create the Folder
Function Ensure-SPOFolder()
{
    param
    (
        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [string] $FolderRelativeURL
    )

    #Check Folder Exists
    Try { 
        $Folder = $Web.GetFolderByServerRelativeUrl($FolderRelativeURL)
        $Ctx.Load($Folder)
        $Ctx.ExecuteQuery() 
 
        #Write-host -f Green "Folder Already Exists!"
    }
    Catch {
        #Create New Sub-Folder
        $Folder=$Web.Folders.Add($FolderRelativeURL)
        $Ctx.ExecuteQuery()
        Write-host -f Green "Created Folder at "$FolderRelativeURL
    }
}

#Function to Upload a File to a SharePoint Online
Function Upload-SPOFile()    
{
    param
    (
        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [string] $SourceFilePath,
        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [string] $TargetFileURL
    )
    
    #Get the file from disk
    $FileStream = ([System.IO.FileInfo] (Get-Item $SourceFilePath)).OpenRead()
    #Get File Name from source file path
    $SourceFileName = Split-path $SourceFilePath -leaf
   
    #Upload the File to SharePoint Library
    $FileCreationInfo = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.FileCreationInformation
    $FileCreationInfo.Overwrite = $true
    $FileCreationInfo.ContentStream = $FileStream
    $FileCreationInfo.URL = $TargetFileURL
    $FileUploaded = $TargetFolder.Files.Add($FileCreationInfo)
  
    $Ctx.ExecuteQuery()  
    #Close file stream
    $FileStream.Close()
    Write-host "File '$TargetFileURL' Uploaded Successfully!" -ForegroundColor Green
}
 
#Main Function to upload a Local Folder to SharePoint Online Document Library Folder
Function Upload-SPOFolder()
{ 
    param
    (
        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [string] $SourceFolderPath,
        [Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.Folder] $TargetFolder        
    )

    #Get All Files and Sub-Folders from Source
    Get-ChildItem $SourceFolderPath -Recurse | ForEach-Object {
        If ($_.PSIsContainer -eq $True) 
        {
            $FolderRelativeURL = $TargetFolder.ServerRelativeURL+$_.FullName.Replace($SourceFolderPath,[string]::Empty).Replace("\","/")
            If($FolderRelativeURL) 
            {
                Write-host -f Yellow "Ensuring Folder '$FolderRelativeURL' Exists..."
                Ensure-SPOFolder -FolderRelativeURL $FolderRelativeURL
            }  
        }
        Else
        {
            $FolderRelativeUrl = $TargetFolder.ServerRelativeURL + $_.DirectoryName.Replace($SourceFolderPath,[string]::Empty).Replace("\","/")
            $FileRelativeURL = $FolderRelativeUrl+"/"+$_.Name
            Write-host -f Yellow "Uploading File '$_' to URL "$FileRelativeURL
            Upload-SPOFile -SourceFilePath $_.FullName -TargetFileURL $FileRelativeURL
        }
    }
}

#Set parameter values
$SiteURL="https://crescent.sharepoint.com/sites/marketing"
$LibraryName="Documents"
$SourceFolderPath="C:\Users\salaudeen\Desktop\Marketing\Documents"
 
#Setup Credentials to connect
$Cred= Get-Credential
$Credentials = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.SharePointOnlineCredentials($Cred.Username, $Cred.Password)
 
#Setup the context
$Ctx = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ClientContext($SiteURL)
$Ctx.Credentials = $Credentials
      
#Get the Target Folder to Upload
$Web = $Ctx.Web
$Ctx.Load($Web)
$List = $Web.Lists.GetByTitle($LibraryName)
$Ctx.Load($List)
$Ctx.Load($List.RootFolder)
$Ctx.ExecuteQuery() 
 
#Call the function to Upload All files & folders from local folder to SharePoint Online
Upload-SPOFolder -SourceFolderPath $SourceFolderPath -TargetFolder $List.RootFolder

This PowerShell uploads the given folder, sub-folder, and files to SharePoint Online.

powershell to upload folder structure to sharepoint online

Upload a Folder to SharePoint Online using PnP PowerShell

To upload a folder to the SharePoint Online document library, use this PnP PowerShell script:

#Variables
$Site = "https://crescent.sharepoint.com/sites/retail"
$FolderLocalPath = "C:\Temp\Docs"
$TargetFolder = "Shared Documents/Docs"

#Connect with SharePoint Online
Connect-PnPOnline -Url $Site -Interactive 

#Get All files from the local disk
$Files = Get-ChildItem -Path $FolderLocalPath -File

#Ensure the target folder
Resolve-PnPFolder -SiteRelativePath $TargetFolder | Out-Null

#Upload All files from the local folder to SharePoint Online Folder
ForEach ($File in $Files)
{
    Add-PnPFile -Path "$($File.Directory)\$($File.Name)" -Folder $TargetFolder -Values @{"Title" = $($File.Name)} | Out-Null
    Write-host "Uploaded File:"$File.FullName
}

The above PowerShell script uploads all files from the given local folder to SharePoint Online. What if the local folder has sub-folders and files? How do I upload files and folders to SharePoint Online? Well, Here is the PnP PowerShell script that uploads a folder with its subfolders and files:

#Variables
$Site = "https://crescent.sharepoint.com/sites/retail"
$LocalFolderPath = "C:\Temp\Docs"
$TargetFolderURL = "Shared Documents" #Site Relative URL

#Connect with SharePoint Online
Connect-PnPOnline -Url $Site -Interactive 

#Function to upload all files from a local folder to SharePoint Online Folder
Function Upload-PnPFolder($LocalFolderPath, $TargetFolderURL)
{
    Write-host "Processing Folder:"$LocalFolderPath -f Yellow
    #Get All files and SubFolders from the local disk
    $Files = Get-ChildItem -Path $LocalFolderPath -File

    #Ensure the target folder
    Resolve-PnPFolder -SiteRelativePath $TargetFolderURL | Out-Null

    #Upload All files from the local folder to SharePoint Online Folder
    ForEach ($File in $Files)
    {
        Add-PnPFile -Path "$($File.Directory)\$($File.Name)" -Folder $TargetFolderURL -Values @{"Title" = $($File.Name)} | Out-Null
        Write-host "`tUploaded File:"$File.FullName -f Green
    }
}
#Call the function to upload the Root Folder
Upload-PnPFolder -LocalFolderPath $LocalFolderPath -TargetFolderURL $TargetFolderURL

#Get all Folders from given source path 
Get-ChildItem -Path $LocalFolderPath -Recurse -Directory | ForEach-Object {
    $FolderToUpload = ($TargetFolderURL+$_.FullName.Replace($LocalFolderPath,[string]::Empty)).Replace("\","/")
    Upload-PnPFolder -LocalFolderPath $_.FullName -TargetFolderURL $FolderToUpload
}

Here is my another post: Upload Multiple Files to SharePoint Online using PnP PowerShell

Salaudeen Rajack

Salaudeen Rajack - SharePoint Expert with Two decades of SharePoint Experience. Love to Share my knowledge and experience with the SharePoint community, through real-time articles!

14 thoughts on “SharePoint Online: Upload a Folder using PowerShell”

Emanuele Z.
July 8, 2022 at 3:19 PM
Permalink

Everythink works perfectly! There is a way to preserve date/time stamp?
Reply
Anonymous
July 8, 2022 at 3:12 PM
Permalink

It’s possibile to preserve date/time of file? When i upload it change the last edited time to the time of the upload
Reply
- Salaudeen RajackPost author
  September 1, 2022 at 9:40 PM
  Permalink
  
  Sure! Refer: How to Migrate File Share to SharePoint Online using PowerShell?
  Reply
Walter Herrera
June 14, 2022 at 5:56 AM
Permalink

HI Salaudeen.

I couldn’t make it work either, please help us!!!
Reply
Karl Hosking
February 10, 2022 at 8:47 AM
Permalink

Thanks so much for sharing this script. I’d be interested in a version that prompts for user credentials, as this would be most handy!
Reply
- Salaudeen RajackPost author
  February 10, 2022 at 9:27 AM
  Permalink
  
  Do you mean, script to *Not* prompt for credentials? You can Hard-code your credentials, use an encrypted password file, or use AppID and AppSecret methods.
  Reply
Suraj Malusare
December 21, 2021 at 9:52 AM
Permalink

Hello Sir,

I need help. I am working on one utility where I want to copy folder from local machine to Sharepoint online. This utility will be run by all users in our company, so whichever user will run the utility folder from his local machine should get copied to sharepoint. Can i use your script to achieve the same ? You have mentioned prerequisites of installing SharePoint online client SDK, do I need to install this SDK on all users machine before using this tool ?
Reply
- Salaudeen RajackPost author
  December 21, 2021 at 9:55 AM
  Permalink
  
  PowerShell can help, but Why don’t you use OneDrive sync client?
  Reply
Jones
July 13, 2021 at 2:00 AM
Permalink

What would we need to add to the script in order for it to delete the source file after successful upload to Sharepoint?
Also, this only seems to work to the root of a document library. What do we need to do to point it at a sub folder? (for example – right now this works perfectly –> https://mysharepointsite.sharepoint.com/sites/MyTeamSite/TestDocLibrary….. But how do I upload to this target –> https://mysharepointsite.sharepoint.com/sites/MyTeamSite/TestDocLibrary/SubFolder1/SubFolder2???)
Reply
Unknown
April 8, 2021 at 2:50 AM
Permalink

How would i get the code to Skip a Folder? i have tried to add a | Where {$_.name -NotLike “*Archives*”}

to a few lines but it produces an error. (it still uploads) but searches every sub folder taking a LONG time to upload the files.
Reply
Unknown
May 22, 2020 at 12:57 AM
Permalink

Thank you so much. Saved me a ton of time and your script worked perfectly.
Reply

Serhii Kravchenko

August 2, 2019 at 12:28 PM

Permalink

You saved me!

But, there is an interesting task:
How to Upload a Folders to SharePoint Online SubFolder using PowerShell (Url = “https://test.sharepoint.com/Sites/Libary/Folder/SubFolder”)?

Thank you for your time and effort in advance!

Salaudeen RajackPost author
August 6, 2019 at 10:09 AM
Permalink
Sure, Use this script to get the sub folder:
```
$FolderServerRelativeUrl= "/Sites/Marketing/Shared Documents/2017"    

#Get the Folder by Server Relative URL
$Folder = $Web.GetFolderByServerRelativeUrl($FolderServerRelativeUrl)
$Ctx.Load($Folder)
$Ctx.ExecuteQuery() 
```
Reply

Serhii Kravchenko

August 7, 2019 at 9:44 AM

Permalink

Thank you!

But, I still get an error. If you can and have time, check please:

#Set parameter values
$SiteURL="https://test.sharepoint.com/teams/Ukraine/"
#$LibraryName="TempBackup"
$FolderServerRelativeUrl="/Ukraine/TempBackup/ADVANCE/APPROVED/"
$SourceFolderPath="D:\Files\public\ADVANCEFORMULARS"
$Username = "logon_name"
$Password = Get-Content "password_path.txt" | ConvertTo-SecureString 

#Load SharePoint CSOM Assemblies
Add-Type -Path "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\ISAPI\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.dll"
Add-Type -Path "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\ISAPI\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.Runtime.dll"

#Setup Credentials to connect
$Creds = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.SharePointOnlineCredentials($Username, $Password)
$Credentials = $Creds

#Setup the context
$Ctx = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ClientContext($SiteURL)
$Ctx.Credentials = $Credentials

#Function to Check if Folder Exists. If not, Create the Folder
Function Ensure-SPOFolder()
{
param
(
[Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [string] $FolderServerRelativeURL
) 

#Check Folder Exists
Try {
$Folder = $SPWeb.GetFolderByServerRelativeUrl($FolderServerRelativeURL)
$Ctx.Load($Folder)
$Ctx.ExecuteQuery()

#Write-host -f Green "Folder Already Exists!"
}
Catch {
#Create New Sub-Folder
$Folder=$SPWeb.Folders.Add($FolderServerRelativeURL)
$Ctx.ExecuteQuery()
Write-host -f Green "Created Folder at "$FolderServerRelativeURL
}
}

#Function to Upload a File to a SharePoint Online
Function Upload-SPOFile()   
{
param
(
[Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [string] $SourceFilePath,
[Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [string] $TargetFileURL
)

#Get the file from disk
$FileStream = ([System.IO.FileInfo] (Get-Item $SourceFilePath)).OpenRead()
#Get File Name from source file path
$SourceFileName = Split-path $SourceFilePath -leaf

#Upload the File to SharePoint Library
$FileCreationInfo = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.FileCreationInformation
$FileCreationInfo.Overwrite = $true
$FileCreationInfo.ContentStream = $FileStream
$FileCreationInfo.URL = $TargetFileURL
$FileUploaded = $TargetFolder.Files.Add($FileCreationInfo)
   
$Ctx.ExecuteQuery() 
#Close file stream
$FileStream.Close()
Write-host "File '$TargetFileURL' Uploaded Successfully!" -ForegroundColor Green
}

#Main Function to upload a Local Folder to SharePoint Online Document Library Folder
Function Upload-SPOFolder()
{
param
(
[Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [string] $SourceFolderPath,
[Parameter(Mandatory=$true)] [Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.Folder] $TargetFolder       
)

#Get All Files and Sub-Folders from Source
Get-ChildItem $SourceFolderPath -Recurse | ForEach-Object {
If ($_.PSIsContainer -eq $True)
{
$FolderServerRelativeURL = $TargetFolder.ServerRelativeURL+$_.FullName.Replace($SourceFolderPath,"").Replace("","/")
If($FolderServerRelativeURL)
{
Write-host -f Yellow "Ensuring Folder '$FolderServerRelativeURL' Exists..."
Ensure-SPOFolder -FolderServerRelativeURL $FolderServerRelativeURL
} 
}
Else
{
$FolderServerRelativeUrl = $TargetFolder.ServerRelativeURL + $_.DirectoryName.Replace($SourceFolderPath,"").Replace("","/")
$FileRelativeURL = $FolderServerRelativeUrl+"/"+$_.Name
Write-host -f Yellow "Uploading File '$_' to URL "$FileRelativeURL
Upload-SPOFile -SourceFilePath $_.FullName -TargetFileURL $FileRelativeURL
}
}
}

#Get the Target Folder to Upload
$Web = $Ctx.Web
$Ctx.Load($Web)
$List = $Web.Lists.GetByTitle($FolderServerRelativeUrl)
$Ctx.Load($List)
$Ctx.Load($List.RootFolder)
$Ctx.ExecuteQuery()

#Call the function to Upload All files and folders from local folder to SharePoint Online
Upload-SPOFolder -SourceFolderPath $SourceFolderPath -TargetFolder $List.RootFolder

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