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🏁 How to Archive a Full SharePoint Online Site
Archiving an entire SharePoint Online site using Squirrel is an efficient way to optimize storage, meet compliance requirements, and maintain a tidy Microsoft 365 environment.
This guide walks administrators through the step-by-step process of fully archiving a SharePoint Online site using Squirrel.
🧭 Steps to Archive a SharePoint Online Site
| Step | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Access the Squirrel Archive Dashboard | Log into the Squirrel web portal. From the left-side menu, go to Site Archive Settings and locate the SharePoint site you wish to archive. |  |
| Step 2: Select the SharePoint Site | Within the dashboard, identify the target site. Ensure it meets your archiving criteria (e.g., low activity, aged content). |  |
| Step 3: Start the Archiving Process | Click the Archive button next to the selected site. Confirm the prompt to initiate the archive job. The site will now be added to the archive queue. |  |
| Step 4: Monitor Archiving Progress | Go to the Archive Queue in the Squirrel dashboard. Here, you can monitor file processing and track progress as files are offloaded to Azure Blob Storage. |  |
| Step 5: Verify the Archived Data | After the archive process is complete, go back to SharePoint. Open the document library and confirm that original files have been replaced with stub files, and content is now securely stored in Azure. |  |
| Step 6: Restoring Archived Files | If a file needs to be recovered, go to the Restore section in Squirrel. Find the file or site and click Restore. The file will be rehydrated and returned to its original SharePoint location. |  |
✅ Conclusion
Archiving an entire SharePoint Online site using Squirrel is a straightforward process that provides powerful benefits:
- 📉 Reduces storage usage and costs - 🗃️ Keeps historical data organized - 🔁 Supports quick restoration when needed
By following this guide, administrators can confidently manage site-wide archival, helping teams stay compliant and efficient — without sacrificing access to valuable data.