From Classic to Connected: Creating a Microsoft Team from a SharePoint Site

This week, I was able to assist with modernization project using Microsoft Teams. This was where there was a need to convert a Classic SharePoint site and move to a Microsoft Team. This is not just a simple switch, but can minimize the need to migrate or move files and/or permissions. As part of this post, we will explore the step-by-step process of Creating a Microsoft Team from a SharePoint Site.

As part of this post, I will identify the step-by-step process of creating a Microsoft 365 Group for a classic SharePoint site. Then converting that group into a full Microsoft Team.

Why This Process Matters

Classic SharePoint sites were never group-connected by design. This means they lack the modern collaboration benefits that come with Microsoft 365 Groups. They do not have shared calendars, mailboxes, and Microsoft Teams integration.

Creating a Microsoft Team from a SharePoint Site

To convert the site, we will follow these basic steps:

Identify the classic site
Connect the site to a Microsoft 365 Group
Create a Microsoft Team from that group

Step 1: Identify Your Classic SharePoint Site

Navigate to the classic SharePoint site you want to modernize. You can confirm it’s a classic site by checking:

The URL structure (e.g., https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/yourteam)
The interface lacks the modern web parts and layout
No Microsoft 365 Group connected

Step 2: Connect the Classic Site to a Microsoft 365 Group

You must be a SharePoint admin or site collection admin to perform this step.

Option A: Connect via SharePoint site

Go to the SharePoint sites
Find and select your classic site
Click “Connect to a new Microsoft 365 Group” from the command bar

Creating a Microsoft Team from a SharePoint Site

Follow the wizard:

Choose a group name (can match your site)
Set privacy settings (Public or Private)

Add group owners and members

Finish the process as this will not delete your existing content. It will add group features to the site.

Option B: Use PowerShell

If you prefer scripting or need to bulk connect sites:

This example creates a new Microsoft 365 Group named “site1group” and connects site collection https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/site1 to it. The group will have its privacy set to “Private” and Classification set to “Highly Confidential”.

Set-SPOSiteOffice365Group (Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell) | Microsoft Learn

# Connect-SPOService first
Connect-SPOService -Url https://contoso-admin.sharepoint.com
# Convert the site
Set-SPOSiteOffice365Group -Site https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/site1 -DisplayName "site1group" -Alias "site1group" -Classification "Highly Confidential"

Step 3: Create a Team from the Microsoft 365 Group

Once the classic site is connected to a group, creating a Team is easy.

Option A: Use Microsoft Teams

Open Microsoft Teams
Click Join or create a team
Select Create from… > Microsoft 365 Group
Pick your newly created group (it will appear in the list)

Microsoft Teams will create a team structure with Channels Files and the Group membership automatically synced

Option B: Use the Teams Admin Center

Go to Teams Admin Center
Under Teams > Manage Teams, click Create
Choose to base the team on an existing Microsoft 365 Group
Select the connected group

What Happens Behind the Scenes?

Your classic site now becomes a modern group-connected site which gives you a Microsoft 365 Group. As part of that group, you get a shared mailbox, calendar, and OneNote. The Team is then built on top of that group, using the connected SharePoint site for file storage.

Things to Keep in Mind when

Not all classic customizations will render well in modern sites—review and modernize web parts if needed.
Teams membership is tied to the group, so changes in one reflect in the other.
You can still access your site’s original document libraries and lists post-conversion.

By connecting a classic SharePoint site to a Microsoft 365 Group and then to Teams, you bring that content into the modern collaboration experience. You will not lose history or data. It’s a great way to modernize without starting from scratch.

Pat Petersen