How to Upload Files to SharePoint: 7 Quick Ways!

SharePoint is a powerful collaboration platform that allows teams to store, share, and manage documents seamlessly. But with so many different ways to upload files to SharePoint, it can be challenging to know where to start. That’s why I have compiled this list of seven methods, each designed to streamline your workflow and make your file uploads a breeze.

This tutorial offers straightforward, step-by-step instructions for quickly uploading your documents into your SharePoint library using the methods that work best for you. From using the classic “drag and drop” method to leveraging the power of OneDrive sync, I’ll guide you through each approach step by step. I’ll also cover some lesser-known techniques, such as using the “Open with Explorer” feature and even uploading files directly from your email.

Understanding File Upload in SharePoint Online

Whether you’re working on a project, sharing important information with colleagues, or simply need a centralized location to keep your files organized, SharePoint has you covered. Uploading files to SharePoint can be a breeze, and we’ll show you how to upload files to SharePoint.

The SharePoint platform is not just a place to store documents; it’s a canvas where ideas converge and evolve in real-time. With the upload file feature, your SharePoint library becomes a dynamic archive where uploading multiple files is not a chore but a seamless part of your daily workflow. This is where the upload command becomes a powerful tool, enabling you and your colleagues to work in concert, regardless of where you are in the world.

As we delve into the essentials of uploading files to SharePoint, remember that this is not just about moving documents from point A to B. It’s about embracing a SharePoint site that evolves with your needs. This ensures that every upload contributes to your organization’s grander vision. Let’s explore how the simple act of uploading can become the catalyst for unmatched collaboration and efficiency.

How to Upload Files to Your SharePoint Document Library?

When it comes to uploading files to your SharePoint Document Library, you can choose the traditional approach using the upload button or the modern marvel of drag-and-drop. Whether you’re working with a single document or need to upload multiple files, SharePoint Online accommodates your method with grace and agility.

In general, the best method for uploading files to SharePoint will depend on your specific needs and the size and complexity of the files you want to upload. Each method, whether through the ease of Google Chrome or other browsers, ensures that your documents are uploaded to the SharePoint library with the precision and care they deserve. Here are the different ways to upload files in SharePoint:

1. Uploading Files through a Web Browser: The Traditional Approach

The most simple and straightforward way to upload files to a SharePoint document library is by using a web browser. To upload files through a web browser in SharePoint Online, you can follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the SharePoint Online document library where you want to upload the file.
2. Click on the “Upload” button in the toolbar of the document library.
3. Choose “Files” and then browse your computer for the files that you want to upload.

   

4. Once you’ve selected the file(s) you want to upload, you can click “Open” to start the upload process.

   

The files or folders will be uploaded to the SharePoint document library.

If you’re someone who finds comfort in traditional methods, the “Click to Upload” approach is akin to a familiar handshake. It’s the classic interaction with technology where you navigate to your SharePoint site, locate the Document Library, and with a simple click on the upload button, you invite a file into its new digital abode. As you select your files, SharePoint unfolds a range of options, from uploading single documents to entire folders, ensuring that your specific needs are met with precision and flexibility.

2. Drag and Drop Upload: Effortlessly Add Files

This is one of the easiest way and most simple common method to upload files to SharePoint. You can simply drag and drop files or folders from your computer to the SharePoint document library.

The drag-and-drop method is not just quick; it’s practically enchanting. Imagine effortlessly lifting files from your desktop and watching them float across your screen to their new home in the SharePoint library. By simply opening your File Explorer on Windows, you select the files you wish to upload, and with a graceful motion, you drop files into the Document Library. It’s as if you’re conducting an orchestra of files and folders, each moving in harmony with the rhythm of your drag-and-drop works.

To upload files to SharePoint using drag and drop, do the following:

1. Navigate to the SharePoint document library where you want to upload the files.
2. Open Windows Explorer or File Explorer, Click and hold the selected files or folders, drag them over to your browser window where the SharePoint library is open, and drop them.

   

3. Once you drop the files, they will automatically start uploading.

Monitor the progress bar or any notifications for successful upload confirmation. If your library settings require additional metadata or check-in comments, you’ll be prompted to provide this information.

For those who prefer the speed and performance of modern browsers like Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, this method is akin to a magic trick – files appear in the SharePoint Document Library immediately after the drop. And if you ever need to undo your action, the delete option is just a click away, ensuring that you always have control over your document library.

Please note, while the upload file feature by Drag-and-drop works on most of the Web Browsers including Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, The Internet Explorer doesn’t support uploading folders with this method. So, you can use the Upload command as an alternative method.

3. Creating a New File in SharePoint:

You can create a new file directly in the SharePoint document library by selecting “New” and then choosing the file type you want to create.

Once the new file opens in your browser, you can add text, images, and more to your file, and it’ll automatically be saved to the document library.

You can also create new files in desktop applications like Microsoft Word and directly save the files in SharePoint!

4. Using PowerShell to upload a file to SharePoint:

You can also use PowerShell to upload files to SharePoint. To upload files to SharePoint using PowerShell, you can use the SharePoint Client Object Model (CSOM) or PnP PowerShell cmdlets. This method is useful for uploading large numbers of files or automating the upload process.

PowerShell to Upload a File to SharePoint

To upload a file to SharePoint using PnP PowerShell, you can follow these steps:

1. Connect to the SharePoint site using the Connect-PnPOnline cmdlet, passing in the URL of the site, and the credentials if necessary.
2. Upload the file using the Add-PnPFile cmdlet, passing in the path of the file and the folder object.

Here’s an example script that uploads a CSV file to a SharePoint site:

#Parameters
$SiteURL = "https://crescent.sharepoint.com/sites/marketing"
$SourceFilePath ="C:\Documents\Discloser Asia.docx"
$DestinationPath = "Shared Documents" #Site Relative Path of the Library 

#Connect to PnP Online
Connect-PnPOnline -Url $SiteURL -interactive
      
#powershell to upload file to sharepoint online
Add-PnPFile -Path $SourceFilePath -Folder $DestinationPath

This script connects to your SharePoint site and uploads a file from your local path to the ‘Shared Documents’ library.

5. Using the OneDrive “Sync” method to Upload Files to SharePoint

Now, let’s shift our gaze to the seamless integration of OneDrive with SharePoint, a partnership that elevates the concept of streamlined workflows to new heights. With OneDrive as your ally, uploading tasks transform into a symphony of synchronization, where manual uploads become a thing of the past, and real-time updates paint a picture of efficiency. Synchronizing with OneDrive can be an efficient method, especially for users who manage multiple files across different devices.

The magic of syncing OneDrive with your SharePoint library lies in the simplicity of a link. To use sync to upload files to SharePoint, you can follow these steps:

1. Open SharePoint Document Library: Navigate to the SharePoint document library where you want to upload files.
2. Select Sync: Click on the Sync button in the SharePoint document library. This action will initiate the synchronization process between your local computer and the SharePoint document library. The two platforms will unite and sync.

   

3. Confirm Sync: If prompted, confirm the synchronization process by allowing the use of “Microsoft OneDrive” for syncing files between your local computer and SharePoint.

   

4. Upload Files: Once the synchronization is set up, you can copy or move files from your local device to the synchronized SharePoint folder on your computer. These files will automatically sync with the SharePoint document library, making them available for others to access.

   

5. Access Files: After uploading the files to the synchronized SharePoint folder, you can access them from anywhere. It’s as if you’re planting seeds in your private garden that bloom instantly on the public SharePoint site.

Keep an eye on the upload process through the status icons in File Explorer. These icons indicate whether the file is syncing correctly or if any issues are detected. The Green Check Mark Indicates that the file has been successfully uploaded and is in sync. Microsoft suggests a cap of 300,000 files in a single library to keep the performance at its peak.

By following these steps, you can effectively use sync to upload files to SharePoint, ensuring that your documents are seamlessly synchronized between your local device and the SharePoint document library for easy access and collaboration.

6. Using File Explorer View / Mapped Drive to Upload Files

By using File Explorer view or mapped network drive to your SharePoint Online document library, you can conveniently manage and interact with your SharePoint files directly from Windows Explorer, similar to working with files stored on your local computer. To use File Explorer view to upload files to SharePoint, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the SharePoint document library in Microsoft Edge.
2. Select the “View in File Explorer” option from the menu.

   

3. Once the SharePoint library is opened in File Explorer, you can copy or move files and folders from your local device to the synchronized SharePoint folder on your computer.
4. Right-click on the file and select “Copy”. Navigate to the synced SharePoint or OneDrive folder where you want the file to reside. Right-click within the folder and select “Paste”. This action moves the file directly into the SharePoint library.
5. The files will automatically sync with the SharePoint document library, making them available for others to access.

Similarly, You can upload files to SharePoint through the mapped drive or Quick access link of a SharePoint document library/folder. To upload files to SharePoint using a mapped drive, map the SharePoint document library as a network drive on your computer. Once the mapping is complete, you can access the SharePoint document library from Windows Explorer or File Explorer and upload files by copying or moving them to the mapped network drive.

7. Using Third-Party Tools:

Several third-party tools, such as ShareGate, Metalogix, and AvePoint, are also available to help you upload files to SharePoint. These tools can be useful for large-scale migrations or for automating the upload process, but they may come with a cost.

To streamline the process of migrating documents from File Share to SharePoint, using Migration tools can be an efficient method, especially if you want to preserve metadata, permissions, etc.

File Management: Organizing Documents Post-Upload

Once your files have gracefully glided into the SharePoint library, the art of organization awaits. Post-upload, it’s essential to use metadata and tags to elevate the searchability and structure of your documents, turning a simple document folder into a well-indexed archive. SharePoint does not automatically preserve original file metadata such as creation date and author, necessitating manual input or automated solutions for metadata management.

In modern libraries, you can employ the Bulk Edit Properties feature to apply metadata changes to multiple documents simultaneously, saving time and ensuring consistency. Set up default values for metadata columns in your library settings. This ensures that every document uploaded will automatically have certain metadata fields filled, reducing the need for manual entry and enhancing the uniformity of data across documents.

In addition to metadata, You can do these post-document upload activities in SharePoint to help organizations manage, collaborate on, and govern their documents effectively:

• Approval Workflows: SharePoint workflows can be configured to initiate an approval process after a document is uploaded.
• Permissions and Sharing: Permissions can be granted to specific individuals, groups, or based on SharePoint roles.
• Alert Notifications: Alerts can be configured to notify users when a document is modified or deleted or when new documents are added to a library.
• Enable Versioning: If not already enabled, set up versioning to keep track of changes made to documents. This is especially useful for collaborative editing.

By adopting these strategies, organizations can enhance the utility of their SharePoint document libraries, making them more organized, searchable, and compliant with internal data management policies.

Mastering File Uploads: Expert Tips for Success

Ascending to the pinnacle of file upload mastery requires more than just knowledge of the basics – it demands a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence. As you prepare to upload files to SharePoint, remember that the devil is in the details. Here are some key steps to follow:

1. Permissions Required: Ensure you have at least contributor permissions to create and upload files.
2. Confirm that the file types you are uploading are supported by SharePoint. Some file types might be blocked due to security settings or SharePoint configuration.
3. Ensure a strong internet connection to prevent any interruptions or delays during the upload process.
4. Utilize the SharePoint Sync Client, which allows you to sync files between your computer and SharePoint, making it easier to upload and manage files.
5. Be mindful of the file upload size limit of 250 GB per individual file, a threshold that guards the gates of the SharePoint kingdom.
6. Ensure they are appropriately in supported formats, from CSV to PDF to XLSX, ready to take their place in the document library without the need for conversion.
7. Be wary of the path your files tread, including subfolders; a total file path length exceeding 400 characters is a bridge too far for SharePoint Online and OneDrive. This limitation requires careful planning and concise naming conventions.
8. Ensure that your file names do not contain special or invalid characters that SharePoint does not accept. This includes characters such as * : < > ? / \ |. Using these characters can prevent files from being uploaded successfully.

By following these preparatory steps, you can ensure a smooth and successful file upload process in SharePoint, minimizing potential disruptions and errors. By following these steps, you can ensure that.

Summary

As we conclude our journey, reflect on the simplicity and power of uploading files to SharePoint. Throughout this article, we have explored how to upload files effectively to SharePoint, focusing on various methods such as using the SharePoint interface, the drag-and-drop technique, and synchronizing with OneDrive. Embrace these methods, and you’ll find that what once seemed like a daunting task is now a pathway to peak productivity and collaboration.

Take these lessons and apply them to your SharePoint adventures. May every file upload be a step towards greater success, and may the harmonious workflows you’ve cultivated resonate throughout your organization. Now, go forth and upload with confidence, knowing that you are well-equipped to conquer any document management challenge that comes your way.