Troubleshooting Slack workspace migration and data transfer involves addressing common issues at each stage of the process, from exporting data to verifying post-migration integrity. The process varies depending on whether you're migrating between standard workspaces or to an Enterprise organization, with key differences in supported data types, user roles, and technical requirements. Most problems arise from incorrect file handling, unsupported data types (like private channels or DMs), or plan-specific limitations that restrict what can be transferred.

Key findings from the sources include:

• File integrity is critical: The export file must remain unmodified (zipped/compressed) for successful upload, as alterations cause failures ^[7]
• Plan limitations affect migrations: Free and Pro plans cannot export private channels or DMs, while Business+ and Enterprise plans have broader access ^[1][8]
• Private channels and DMs often fail to transfer: These are excluded from standard imports unless all participants are included in the migration ^[6][7]
• Enterprise migrations require additional steps: SSO setup, user account conflict resolution, and temporary workspace unavailability are unique challenges ^[2]

For most users, the core troubleshooting steps involve verifying export file integrity, confirming plan-compatible data types, and systematically addressing errors during the import phase. Enterprise migrations add complexity with identity management and access controls.

Core Troubleshooting Areas for Slack Migration

Export Phase: Data Preparation and Common Pitfalls

The export phase is where many migrations fail due to misunderstandings about plan limitations or incorrect file handling. Workspace Owners must first confirm their plan's export capabilities, as Free and Pro plans only support public channel exports, while Business+ and Enterprise plans include private channels and DMs ^[4][8]. The export process itself is straightforward but requires attention to file format and retention settings.

Critical steps and common issues:

• Plan-specific limitations:
• Free/Pro plans: Only public channel messages and file links (last 90 days for Free) can be exported ^[4][8]
• Business+: All public/private channels and DMs are exportable, but retention settings may limit historical data ^[8]
• Enterprise: Full export capabilities, including compliance exports for legal holds ^[8]
• File handling requirements:
• The exported .zip file must remain compressed; unzipping or modifying it will cause upload failures ^[7]
• File size limits apply (varies by plan), requiring large workspaces to split exports ^[4]
• Exports include JSON files for messages and CSV files for user/membership data ^[4]
• Data completeness checks:
• Verify the export includes all expected channels by checking the channels.json manifest file ^[4]
• Confirm DMs are included (if supported by plan) by searching for dms.json in the export package ^[6]
• Note that app activity logs and workspace settings are never exported ^[7]

A frequent oversight is assuming all data types are exportable. For example, custom emoji, workspace preferences, and integrated app configurations are excluded from all export types ^[7]. Users should document these manually before migration. Another common issue is export timeouts for large workspaces, which may require scheduling exports during off-peak hours or contacting Slack Support for assistance ^[4].

Import Phase: File Upload and Data Mapping Challenges

Once the export file is prepared, the import phase presents technical hurdles related to file validation, user account mapping, and channel conflicts. The destination workspace must be on a compatible plan (Free/Pro/Business+ for standard imports; Enterprise for org migrations) ^[1][2]. The import tool validates the file before processing, rejecting any modified or corrupted exports ^[7].

Key troubleshooting areas during import:

• File validation errors:
• Error: "File has been altered" – Solution: Re-download the original export .zip without unzipping ^[7]
• Error: "Unsupported file type" – Cause: Incorrect export method (e.g., using manual screenshots instead of Slack's export tool) ^[1]
• Error: "File too large" – Resolution: Split the export or upgrade to a plan with higher limits ^[4]
• User account mapping issues:
• Conflicts arise when email addresses exist in both workspaces but belong to different users. The import tool requires manual resolution for each conflict ^[2]
• Deactivated users in the destination workspace can be reactivated during import or merged with active accounts ^[7]
• Guest accounts require special handling, as their access levels may not transfer ^[2]
• Channel and DM import limitations:
• Private channels only import if the destination workspace plan supports them (Business+ or Enterprise) ^[1][6]
• DMs require all participants to be included in the import; missing users will orphan these conversations ^[7]
• Channel naming conflicts prompt for merge or rename decisions, with merges combining message histories ^[1]
• Enterprise-specific challenges:
• Workspace unavailability during migration (typically <1 hour) requires advance member notification ^[2]
• SSO configuration must be completed pre-migration to avoid authentication failures ^[2]
• Custom profile fields and some app integrations do not transfer, requiring post-migration reconstruction ^[2]

For workspaces migrating to Enterprise organizations, Slack provides a pre-migration checklist that includes disabling SAML provisioning and verifying guest access settings ^[2]. The import process itself is divided into phases, with progress visible in the admin dashboard. Users can continue working in the destination workspace during most phases, though message history may temporarily appear incomplete ^[7].

A lesser-known workaround for partial migrations involves using Slack's channel connectivity feature. Users can manually link channels between old and new workspaces to share history, then disconnect them post-migration ^[3]. This method is useful for transferring specific conversations without full workspace imports but requires manual setup for each channel.