Syncing SharePoint libraries locally have many benefits. Once the folder is synced locally, the files can be accessed even if you are offline. These files can be edited, added, and removed and will sync automatically.
To sync files locally in SharePoint, navigate to the SharePoint document library you’d like to sync locally to your computer.
Select the Sync button from the toolbar.
This will bring up a prompt to open OneDrive, click Open Microsoft OneDrive.
If you have never Synced that folder before it will automatically sync to your OneDrive and you will see a similar notification on your computer.
To find this folder, open your file explorer and you should see it on the left–hand side.
If you ever need to unsync a library, within the File Explorer Local Sync, right click on the folder you’d like to unsync and select Settings.
This will bring up Microsoft OneDrive’s Account Settings. Below you’ll see the folders that are locally Syncing. Click Stop Sync next to the folder you would like to no longer locally sync.
Hi, Thanks you. This was great. What could be the reason that the function is not available.
Please advise
Thanks and regards
Zinobia
Hi Zinobia, can you confirm if you’re using the modern or traditional view of SharePoint? This option is not available in the modern view. Instead you’ll want to select “sync” from the toolbar to sync your library to your computer. Thanks for reading!
This only works in IE. It does not work in Chrome, Firefox nor Edge.
Hi Michael,
You’re close! This will work in Internet Explorer because that browser may push you to the classic view by default. In the modern view of SharePoint that you get in other browsers or that your IT admin may configure as the default view, you can press the “sync” button on the toolbar to sync the document library with your device through the OneDrive for Business App functionality. Then you can open Windows Explorer to see the synced folder. Let us know if you have any questions! Thank you so much for reading and sharing your experience with us!
Thank you for the clear explanation. Worked perfectly.
Regards
Joao
How does Sync address the viewing of SharePoint files?
I used the Explorer view for two reason:
1. I can rename, delete, selectively copy files much more easily than with SharePoint.
2. I can copy files and have the file timestamps preserved.
Hi Phillip, when your files are synced to your computer, you can open them to view them like any other file. If you’re logged into your Office account, SharePoint will note that you’re the last one to have modified the file just like in the browser version. Let me know if this answers your question!
At the 50 second mark, a Windows Security pop up appears, but you don’t explain why or what this is. We are not getting this pop up and Windows Explorer does not open. Are you able to explain what is happening at this point, so we can better understand any prerequisites we are missing, thanks
Hi Ben, thanks for watching. This is a good question. That is not a Windows Security pop up, it’s actually just a notification from the OneDrive app to let you know the sync was successful. Additionally, Windows Explorer will not pop up automatically; you need to click on it to open. Then your new library should be listed on the left-hand side. Depending on what type of library you’ve chosen to sync, it may be listed under a new category titled “Your Company Name” or “SharePoint.” Under that category, you’ll see a new folder with the name of the site you’ve synced. If you’re still not having success, it’s likely because you need to install the OneDrive app. On the browser popup that appears after you click “Sync,” please follow the directions that specify if nothing happens to click on the included link to get the latest version of OneDrive. Let us know if that answers your question!