The list's address will be modified because there's already an existing site, list, folder, or file

Symptoms

When doing a pre-migration check or copying a list or library, one of the following messages is displayed:

• The list's address will be modified because there's already an existing site at 'http://sharepoint/destination'.
• The list's address will be modified because there's already an existing list at 'http://sharepoint/destination'.
• The list's address will be modified because there's already an existing folder at 'http://sharepoint/destination'.
• The list's address will be modified because there's already an existing file at 'http://sharepoint/destination'.

Error code

• AN-016-072

Details

This problem happens when migrating a list or a library to a destination site that already use the resulting address for something else. The existing object at the destination can be:

1. A subsite.
2. A list (if you are migrating a library).
3. A library (if you are migrating a list).
4. A file or a folder created with SharePoint Designer.

Solution

The problem can be resolved by one of the following solutions:

1. While copying the list, change its address to prevent the collision. This can be done by editing the URL Name in Sharegate. You can read more about this here (see Copy options).
2. Delete or move the existing object at the destination.