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klbc8042's avatar
klbc8042
Explorer | Level 3
7 years ago
Solved

missing files and folders when syncing FROM Dropbox TO Desktop on a MAC.

Hi, I am trying to sync files and folders from Dropbox onto my Desktop on a Mac. I have checked for invalid special characters already. I don't think I have selective sync turned ON. (I'm not sure) And when I try to initiate another Sync, Dropbox tells me its up to date.

 

Thanks,

Klbc8042

Delete
desktop
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  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    7 years ago
    The article I posted states the exact steps you need to do. 
     
    I’ll copy them here with the last modified step:
     
    1. Click the Dropbox icon from the system tray or menu bar.
      • On Linux, you may first need to click "↑" (up arrow) to see the Dropbox icon.
    2. Click the gear icon, and then select Preferences… from the menu.
      • On Linux, you won’t see a gear icon. Just click Preferences.
    3. Click Sync.
    4. Click Selective Sync… (Linux and Windows) or click Change settings… (Mac).
    5. A window will appear with a list of all the main folders in your Dropbox folder:
      • The folders with a check next to them are synced to your computer.
    6. Tick/check all folders
    7. When you're done, select OK.
    Let me know how it goes.

6 Replies

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    7 years ago
    Hi there, I’m assuming you’re referring to the bad files check tool for the invalid characters?
     
    Aside from that, could you let us know more about the files that are supposed to be syncing? Are they in a private folder, or a shared/team folder? Are they viewable on the Dropbox site? Did you add the files to the site directly, or via another desktop or mobile device?
     
    Any info you can provide would be great!
  • klbc8042's avatar
    klbc8042
    Explorer | Level 3
    7 years ago

    Yes, I was referring to the bad files check tool. From a glance, it looks like all of the stand-alone files have synced from Dropbox to my desktop... But only 2 folders (recently modified or added to) are synced from Dropbox to Desktop. I'm unsure if it is a private or shared/team folder, how can I see that? I can see all of the folders and files through the Dropbox website. Every single file and folder was added to Dropbox via another desktop over the last 5 years.  

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    7 years ago
    Well, since you mentioned you’re not sure about the selective sync settings, could you check them in the Dropbox desktop application and ensure that all the folders are checked?
  • klbc8042's avatar
    klbc8042
    Explorer | Level 3
    7 years ago

    Yes, can you explain how to accomplish that?

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    7 years ago
    The article I posted states the exact steps you need to do. 
     
    I’ll copy them here with the last modified step:
     
    1. Click the Dropbox icon from the system tray or menu bar.
      • On Linux, you may first need to click "↑" (up arrow) to see the Dropbox icon.
    2. Click the gear icon, and then select Preferences… from the menu.
      • On Linux, you won’t see a gear icon. Just click Preferences.
    3. Click Sync.
    4. Click Selective Sync… (Linux and Windows) or click Change settings… (Mac).
    5. A window will appear with a list of all the main folders in your Dropbox folder:
      • The folders with a check next to them are synced to your computer.
    6. Tick/check all folders
    7. When you're done, select OK.
    Let me know how it goes.
  • klbc8042's avatar
    klbc8042
    Explorer | Level 3
    7 years ago

    Thank you! That seems to be the problem. Once I did the above, DropBox tells me I have way more files that are syncing. 

     

    Thanks for you help. 

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