Move folders in SharePoint Online with Move to on the command bar. Choose the destination library or site and select the folder. SharePoint has no merge button for two folders that share a name. Select Keep both when the prompt appears. Move its files into the original and delete the copy. Move to keeps version history. Copy to keeps only the latest version.
You reorganize a library and two folders carry the same name. One move later you see a prompt and a folder with a number added.
Microsoft documents how to move folders in SharePoint Online but says little about merging. You get the exact steps, the merge fix and the limits I check first.
Can SharePoint Merge Two Folders With the Same Name?
No, Microsoft names no merge button. A Microsoft Q&A thread says Keep both is the only choice for a folder that already exists at the destination.
Keep both renames one folder to something like Folder(1). You then combine the contents by hand, as the merge steps below show.
Which Method Fits Your Move?
Compare the three options before you start.
| Method | Best for | Main limit |
|---|---|---|
| Move to | Relocating a folder with its history | No merge on a name clash |
| Copy to | Keeping the original in place | Copies the latest version only |
| Manual merge | Merging two folders by hand | Manual file moves |
How do You Relocate a Folder With Move to?
Who it suits. Owners who reorganize a library in the browser. Extra application. None needed.
Microsoft gives these steps for files and folders in a library.
- Select the folder. Tick the folder you want to relocate.
- Choose Move to. Find it on the command bar or under More.
- Set the destination. Select the current library, OneDrive or another SharePoint site.
- Find missing sites. Select More places at the bottom of the site list.
- Create a folder if needed. Select the new folder icon, type a name and select Create.
- Confirm the move. Select Move here at the destination.
Heads Up. Other sites do not appear when your organization blocks cross site moves. A SharePoint admin or global admin can change that in the SharePoint admin center.
When should You Copy a Folder Instead of Moving It?
Select Copy to when the original must stay in place. Microsoft says Copy to carries only the latest version of every file.
- Move to. Version history travels with the file.
- Copy to. Earlier versions need a restore and a separate copy.
- Properties. Only properties the new location supports are kept and managed metadata values are not.
How do You Merge Two Folders After a Move?
Who it suits. Owners with two folders that share a name. Extra application. None needed.
A Microsoft community moderator gave this workaround for folders that clash.
- Move the folder. Use Move to and select the destination that holds the same name.
- Select Keep both. SharePoint renames one folder, for example to Folder(1).
- Open the renamed folder. Select every file and subfolder inside it.
- Move the contents. Choose Move to and select the original folder.
- Handle clashes inside. Repeat Keep both for files with the same name and compare them.
- Delete the empty folder. Remove Folder(1) once it holds nothing.
Microsoft threads from 2024 report that some tenants stopped seeing the prompt and got a number added to the name. Check the folder names after every move.
Does Drag and Drop Work for Moving Folders?
A Microsoft answer from 2021 says dragging files between modern libraries is not available by design. It points users to Move to and Copy to.
Dragging from File Explorer into a library does work according to the same thread. Behavior can change. Test with one folder first.
What Happens to the Original Folder After a Move?
When you move the folders in a SharePoint Online library, Microsoft says the source stays in place until the move finishes. The original then lands in the Recycle Bin of the source site on the normal 93 day schedule.
A move fails when the destination library enforces unique values.
What Limits Apply When You Move Folders?
- No numbers. Microsoft says moves work best within the SharePoint Online limits and shows no figure on that page.
- Site Pages. Move to is not available in the Site Pages library.
- OneNote. Do not move notebooks outside the OneNote app.
- Metadata. Managed metadata values are not kept.
- Cross site access. An admin setting can hide other sites.
Which Habits Make Folder Moves Safer?
- Test one folder. Move a small folder before a large one.
- Check the names. Look for numbers added after a move.
- Clean up after. Use the guide on how to delete empty folders from SharePoint.
- Plan big moves. Read about copying an entire library in the guide on how to copy a document library to another SharePoint site.
Which Mistakes Cost the Most During a Folder Move?
- Choosing Copy to by habit. You lose earlier versions.
- Ignoring Folder(1). Two near identical folders stay behind.
- Moving system folders. Site Pages does not support Move to.
- Skipping a test. A tenant setting can change what you see.
My Verdict on Moving and Merging Folders
Use Move to for a plain relocation and keep the history. Treat a merge as a manual job after the name prompt.
Test one folder first and review every folder name once the move ends.
Key Takeaways
- Move to keeps version history and Copy to does not.
- SharePoint offers no merge button for folders that share a name.
- Keep both renames one folder and you merge the contents by hand.
- Drag and drop between modern libraries is not available by design.
Next Read
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Move to Keep Version History?
Yes. Microsoft says Move to keeps the history of the document. Copy to carries only the latest version.
Can I Merge Two Folders in One Step?
No, Microsoft names no merge button. Select Keep both and move the contents by hand.
Why does SharePoint Add a Number to My Folder Name?
Yes, SharePoint adds the number when you select Keep both. It renames one folder to something like Folder(1) so both can exist.
Can I Move a Folder to Another SharePoint Site?
Yes when your organization allows cross site moves. Select More places if the site is not listed.
Can I Drag a Folder Between Two Libraries?
No in modern libraries, according to a Microsoft answer from 2021. Use Move to or Copy to.
Does the Original Folder Go to the Recycle Bin?
Yes, once the move finishes it lands in the Recycle Bin of the source site. The 93 day schedule applies there.
Does Move to Work in the Site Pages Library?
No. Microsoft says Move to is not available there. Use another way to relocate pages.
Jamie blends strategic marketing insight with technical writing, turning migration and recovery topics into guidance that works for technical and general readers alike.
Published 3 November 2026. Move to and Copy to steps come from Microsoft's page on how to move or copy files in SharePoint. The Keep both workaround comes from a Microsoft Q&A answer on moving folders without a Replace prompt. The drag and drop note comes from a Microsoft answer on dragging files between libraries. Menus change. Confirm them on your own site.