If you’re working on a file by yourself, save it to OneDrive. Your OneDrive files are private unless you share them with others, which is particularly useful if you haven’t created a team yet.
If you’re already working as a team — in Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or Outlook—you should save your files where your team works, because OneDrive for work or school connects you to all your shared libraries, too.
When you need a new shared location to store team files, create a shared library right from OneDrive, add members, and start working together. These libraries are accessible within Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook. And it’s easy to copy or move files where you and others need them.
Note:If you don't see the option to create a shared library from OneDrive, read Create a document library from SharePoint or Move or copy files in SharePoint.
What's the difference between OneDrive and SharePoint
OneDrive is the files experience for Microsoft 365 and SharePoint Server*, giving you access to all your work or school files, including the files that people share with you directly or through the teams you're working on. OneDrive provides a consistent, intuitive files experience across all your devices, including web, mobile, and the desktop of your Windows PC or Mac.
Behind the scenes, SharePoint in Microsoft 365 provides the content services for all files in Microsoft 365, including files you work with in Teams, Yammer, and Outlook. SharePoint is always there, helping manage and protect your files, and powering content collaboration across Microsoft 365. And beyond files, SharePoint enables portals, news, pages, lists, and a platform for business apps.
With both OneDrive and SharePoint in Microsoft 365, your files are stored in the cloud. You can sync either OneDrive or SharePoint files to your computer. See Sync OneDrive files or sync SharePoint files for more info.
* SharePoint Server 2016 and later.
Moving documents from OneDrive to SharePoint
Sometimes documents that you start by yourself grow in importance and become relevant to a project. When that happens, it may make sense to copy or move files from OneDrive to SharePoint.
Troubleshoot moving documents from OneDrive for work or school
There are a few issues to keep in mind when moving documents from OneDrive and a shared library:
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The steps for copying or moving files can vary between versions of OneDrive and SharePoint. For more info, see Move or copy files in SharePoint.
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Hyperlinks to the original document stop working, because you’ve deleted the document in OneDrive. You may want to share the document you moved to the team site to give people on the site an updated, working link.
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If people followed the original document, links in their newsfeed to that document will stop working. To restore this association, people will need to follow the document in its new location.
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You might want to replace the original document in OneDrive with one that simply gives a link to the new file, and announces the new location.
As an expert in Microsoft 365 collaboration and document management, I have hands-on experience navigating the intricacies of OneDrive and SharePoint. My expertise extends to not only understanding the technical details but also effectively utilizing these tools for efficient collaboration and file management. I've worked extensively with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook, leveraging their capabilities to streamline workflows and enhance team collaboration.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the provided article:
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OneDrive for Personal File Management:
- OneDrive is highlighted as the personal files experience for Microsoft 365 users.
- Files stored in OneDrive are private by default, and sharing options are available for collaboration.
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Team Collaboration and Shared Libraries:
- The article emphasizes the importance of saving files where your team works if you are part of a collaborative team using Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or Outlook.
- Shared libraries are suggested as a shared location for team files, accessible within Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook.
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Creating Shared Libraries from OneDrive:
- Users are encouraged to create a shared library directly from OneDrive, facilitating team collaboration by adding members and working together seamlessly.
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Difference Between OneDrive and SharePoint:
- OneDrive serves as the individual's file experience, providing access to personal and shared files, including those from collaborative teams.
- SharePoint, working behind the scenes, manages content services for all files in Microsoft 365. It is the backbone for content collaboration and supports various functionalities beyond files.
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Syncing Files and Devices:
- Both OneDrive and SharePoint allow files to be stored in the cloud and synced to local devices, ensuring accessibility across web, mobile, and desktop platforms.
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Moving Documents from OneDrive to SharePoint:
- The article addresses scenarios where documents initiated in OneDrive gain significance and need to be moved to SharePoint for better collaboration.
- Troubleshooting tips are provided, including variations in copying or moving files between OneDrive and SharePoint versions.
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Troubleshooting Moving Documents:
- Issues such as broken hyperlinks and newsfeed disruptions are discussed, with recommendations on how to address them.
- Suggestions include sharing the new document link with the team site and updating original documents in OneDrive to redirect to the new location.
In summary, this article provides comprehensive insights into optimizing file management and collaboration using OneDrive and SharePoint within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It not only guides users on best practices but also addresses potential challenges and offers solutions for a seamless experience.
