Troubleshoot a file import

Here's how to address common issues you may encounter when setting up a file import and importing data.

Can't start an import

You must be signed in as a super administrator for this task.

If you get the error, To start migration, you must have super admin privileges and complete all previous steps:

  • Make sure that a super administrator for your Google Workspace account sets up and starts the import.

Need permission to access resources error

If you get the error, Needs permission to access resources in your organization that only an admin can grant:

  • Make sure you are connecting to the Microsoft account using a valid Global Administrator account.

For details, go to Connect to your Microsoft account.

User account issues

Before you begin an import, you have to set up the user accounts in Google Workspace. For details on setting up user accounts, go to Requirements & setup steps for Google Workspace.

A user account that is not set up, or is set up incorrectly, can cause the following issues in the logs.

Logs message How to fix
Google Drive is not enabled for the User
  • Set up a Google Workspace account for the user if they don't already have one
  • Enable access to your organization's Google Drive for an existing user account
Microsoft OneDrive is not enabled for the User
  • Confirm that the OneDrive source account in your list of source users is correct
  • Confirm the OneDrive source account in your identity map is correct

Error uploading import scope map

When you upload the map for your import scope, you may get one of the following errors:

  • Upload sensitive CSV failed
  • Validate CSV failed
  • Bulk action initiation failed

To troubleshoot, confirm the items below are correct, then re-upload the CSV file:

  • The CSV file has only one column with the header, Source email
  • The source and destination email addresses are valid
  • Each source email is only listed once

Users receive notification emails about temp file ownership

If your users receive emails with the subject line, You're now the owner of "GoogleWorkspaceMigrate Temp File," no action is needed.

The emails are sent as part of the data import process. Data import sometimes needs to create temp files or folders to transfer creator information and current permissions. The temp files are deleted when the import is completed.

Import completes, but there are failed items

  1. Click View data import logs.
  2. Identify the items that didn't import and the reasons for their failure. For details, go to Understand the file import report.
  3. Fix the issues and then run a delta import.

Missing files, folders, or permissions

If you have a missing files, folders, or permissions after an import, follow these steps:

  1. Check that the import scope file includes the emails of the users that own the missing items. Learn more about how to create a list of users to import.
  2. Verify that your identity map contains the correct list of users. For details, go to Create & upload an identity map.
  3. Make sure that at least one owner of the source file or folder has a user account in Google Workspace.
  4. Check your import settings to see if the filters are skipping files that you want to import. For details, go to Import files from a OneDrive account.
  5. Export the data import report. For details, go to Understand the file migration report.
  6. Search for the missing file using the file name. File names are part of the Source URI in the import report.
  7. If the message shows as failed in the report, locate the error code in Understand the file import report. Then, follow the instructions to troubleshoot the error message.
  8. Run a delta import.


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