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Bengt B.1's avatar
Bengt B.1
Explorer | Level 4
6 years ago

If I drag a folder to Dropbox, will only the new changes in the folder update to the cloud?

Hi, If I have done changes in a folder in my computer, can I drag the whole folder to Dropbox and will only the new and changed files be updated to the cloud? Best beche
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Daphne's avatar
Daphne
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
6 years ago

Thanks for getting back to me here Bengt B.1!

 

I'm thinking that perhaps the alias shortcuts are not being uploaded due to it not being an actual file, and just a link.

 

Would you mind sending me a screenshot of the icon that you mentioned seeing next to the Logic project files with the "v"?

 

Also, if you drag the content of one folder to another on your computer, the OS should offer an option to replace/overwrite any files that have changed made to them and skip any that are the same.

 

However, can you clarify for me, does the version of the folder you're editing have a local copy of all the files within? Or do you perhaps only have the files there that you edit on your computer?

 

Since the folder in Dropbox has the files 'online only' (and this is only a placeholder for the actual file), if you replace them with local copies then the app would probably resync the whole folder.

 

Let me know!

Bengt B.1's avatar
Bengt B.1
Explorer | Level 4
6 years ago

Yes, it might be the lack of content in aliases that makes them not upload.

Yes but if I drag files to the folder in Safari and not in finder it doesn't tell me if it will only update with newer files or if they do all of them.

I'm trying to keep these particular files non-local for reasons of storage space on the computer. I want to be able to see what files I have and to get them if I need them. So, no local copy.

Here is one screen shot where you see the Logic file that refuses to be online only, or at least it doesn't have the cloud-sign. This is the case with several Logic files, but there are also older ones that are online only with the cloud sign.

Best

beche

 

 

  • Daphne's avatar
    Daphne
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    6 years ago

    Thanks for the clarifications there Bengt B.1!

     

    So from testing this out on my side to double check this, it seems that when you drag and drop the contents of a folder into the folder online, only the updated files are re-uploaded.

     

    However, it does show that the files are "uploading" but there are no changes made to the files that are the same within the folder.

     

    This should allow you to update the folder online without needing to make any changes to the local versions.

     

    Now, for the file not showing the cloud icon in your Dropbox folder locally on the computer, does the sync icon remain the same even after right clicking and choosing "Smart Sync - online only"?

     

    Does the icon change to the online only cloud icon but return to this icon after a period of time? Or does the icon not change at all?

    • Bengt B.1's avatar
      Bengt B.1
      Explorer | Level 4
      6 years ago

      Thanks for the clarification, Daphne, so I gather that Dropbox will not take all the time to re-upload content that is unchanged. Good.

       

      When I do smart sync on a v-marked file it will briefly change to the cloud and then change back to the v after a few seconds. I wonder if the v might mean that it is uploaded but also kept locally for some reason? 

      • Lusil's avatar
        Lusil
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        6 years ago

        Hey Bengt B.1, thanks for getting back to us. 

         

        If you see a green icon with a white check mark on it, it means that the folder or file is downloaded and available locally. 

         

        However, if you see a folder with a white icon and a green tick, it means that some files are local and others are online only. We call this a mixed state folder. 

         

        You can find more information and visual examples of these icons, here.

         

        Having said that, could you clarify which icon you're seeing? 

         

        Thanks again!

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