The subject disclosure is directed towards transitioning from an existing screen (e.g., a page or the like) to a new screen, in which element(s)/control(s) of the existing screen are shared to the new screen. An existing screen acts as a source screen to provide element-related data (e.g., names) of its existing elements; the existing elements are intersected with those desired by the new/destination screen. The destination screen takes over ownership of any common elements. A navigation service may coordinate the exchange of information and the transition. The transition may include animations and/or other effects to provide a visually smooth transition or the like between screens.