How to Zip and Unzip Files in SharePoint

Noam R Published · Updated

Archive folder with zipper representing zip and unzip tools

Summary

This post shows you how to zip and unzip files in SharePoint by using an add-in, native downloads, desktop archive tools, or Power Automate.

Archives let you send several files together or unpack a collection someone has shared. Choose one option based on where you need the result and how often you do the work:

You need edit permissions on the destination folder to add new archives or extracted files. SharePoint does not natively extract archive contents back into a document library without an add-in, desktop sync, or an automated flow.

Option A: Work inside the library

Our Zip & Unzip for SharePoint add-in lets you create and extract archive files directly from your SharePoint document library. Compression and extraction happen locally in your browser, so your file contents never travel to a third-party server.

An administrator must install the add-in once for your site. Once installed, the commands appear directly on your library toolbar and context menus.

Create an archive in the library

  1. In your SharePoint document library, select one or more files or folders using their checkboxes.
  2. If Create ZIP is hidden, open More (...) on the toolbar.
  3. Click Create ZIP.
SharePoint library with callouts: 1 select a folder, 2 open More, 3 choose Create ZIP

Next, configure the archive settings in the dialog:

  1. Under Filename, keep the suggested name or enter a new name.
  2. Under Format, choose ZIP, 7Z, TAR.GZ, or TAR.
  3. Leave Destination set to Save to current folder (or choose another folder or download).
  4. Click Create ZIP.
Create ZIP Archive dialog showing ZIP, 7Z, TAR.GZ, and TAR formats, password protection, and destination options

The add-in packages your files in the browser and uploads the archive back to SharePoint. Refresh the library if the new file does not appear immediately.

Extract an archive in the library

You can unpack ZIP, 7z, RAR, ISO, TAR, and TAR.GZ files without downloading them to your computer first. The example below extracts a ZIP into a new folder in the same library:

  1. Select the archive file in your document library.
  2. Click Extract ZIP on the toolbar or right-click context menu (the label adapts to the file type, such as Extract 7z or Extract RAR).
  3. Under Destination, select Extract to current folder.
  4. Click Extract.
Extract File dialog with callouts: 1 Extract to current folder, 2 click Extract

The add-in creates a new folder named after the archive inside the destination folder. If that name is already in use, it adds a number. Refresh the library to see the new folder.

If the archive is password-protected, the add-in prompts for the password before unpacking the files.

See the supported formats and troubleshooting guide for password encryption details, large-archive tips, and macOS compatibility notes.

Option B: Download a ZIP

SharePoint includes a native feature that bundles multiple items into a single ZIP file upon download. This is helpful when you need to send multiple files to someone outside SharePoint or back them up on your computer:

  1. Select multiple files or folders in your SharePoint library using the checkboxes.
  2. Click Download on the command bar.
  3. Your browser downloads a single .zip file containing the selected items to your computer.

This native feature only creates a local download on your computer. It cannot create an archive that remains stored in SharePoint, and SharePoint provides no native button to extract an uploaded ZIP archive back into the library.

Microsoft's SharePoint download instructions explain download limits and exceptions.

Option C: Use a synced folder

OneDrive gives desktop archive tools access to SharePoint files and sends the results back to the library. You need the OneDrive sync app signed in to your work or school account, permission to sync the library, and enough local space for the files you process.

First, make the SharePoint folder available on your computer:

  1. Open the source folder in SharePoint and choose Add shortcut to OneDrive. The folder appears in your OneDrive files.
SharePoint library toolbar with Add shortcut to OneDrive highlighted
  1. Open your work or school OneDrive folder in File Explorer on Windows or Finder on Mac, then open the shortcut folder.

If your organization uses Sync instead, select it in the SharePoint library and allow the browser to open OneDrive. The library appears under your organization's name in File Explorer or Finder. Microsoft's OneDrive shortcut and sync instructions explain both setup paths.

Create a ZIP in the synced folder

  1. Select the files or folder you want to package.
  2. In Windows, right-click and choose Show more options → Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder. On Mac, Control-click and choose Compress.
  3. Keep the new ZIP in the synced folder. Wait for OneDrive to finish syncing, then refresh the SharePoint library to find the archive.

Extract a ZIP in the synced folder

  1. Extract the ZIP using your computer's built-in tool:
    • Windows: Right-click the ZIP and choose Extract All.... Set the destination to a folder inside the synced library, then choose Extract.
    • Mac: Double-click the ZIP. Finder places the extracted contents beside the archive in the synced folder.
  2. Wait for OneDrive to finish syncing, then refresh SharePoint to see the extracted files.

The desktop steps use the built-in ZIP tools documented for Windows and Mac. Other formats and password-protected archives may need a compatible archive utility.

Option D: Automate extraction

When team members or external systems regularly upload ZIP archives to a specific SharePoint library, you can configure a cloud flow in Power Automate to unpack them automatically:

  1. Create an automated cloud flow with the trigger When a file is created (properties only) from the SharePoint connector. Set Site Address, Library Name, and Folder to the location where ZIPs arrive.
  2. Add a condition that continues only when the uploaded file's name ends in .zip.
  3. In the matching branch, add SharePoint's Extract folder action:
    • Site Address: Use the same SharePoint site.
    • Source File Path: Use the uploaded ZIP's full file path from the trigger.
    • Destination Folder Path: Choose an output folder outside the watched input folder so extracted files do not trigger the flow again.
  4. Save the flow and upload a small ZIP to the input folder. Check the flow's run history and the destination folder for the extracted files.

SharePoint's action writes the extracted files directly to the destination folder. OneDrive for Business has a separate Extract archive to folder action that uses OneDrive paths. Its documented limit is 50 MB per archive and 100 files inside. The SharePoint connector reference does not specify an equivalent archive-size or file-count limit for Extract folder.

Option E: Extract an occasional ZIP

For an occasional archive without configuring add-ins, sync, or automation:

  1. Select the ZIP in SharePoint and click Download.
  2. Open your Downloads folder. In Windows, right-click the ZIP, choose Extract All..., choose a local destination, and click Extract. On Mac, double-click the ZIP to extract it beside the archive.
  3. Return to the destination SharePoint library folder and drag the extracted folder or files into the browser window to upload them.
  4. Wait for the upload to finish and check that the extracted files appear in the library.

You need permission to download the archive and add files to the destination library. This method needs no add-in or sync setup, but it transfers the archive to your computer and uploads the extracted contents. Microsoft's library upload instructions explain the upload controls and progress indicators.

Need help?

If you have questions about working with archives in SharePoint or need help with large or password-protected files, message support and we'll get back to you shortly.

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