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waldalla's avatar
waldalla
Helpful | Level 6
2 months ago
Solved

I'm unable to ignore a specific folder on my macOS (not File Provider).

I want to ignore a specific folder from syncing. So I read through help.dropbox.com/installs/dropbox-for-macos-support .

Frist I tried  the GUI approach: but on right-clicking the folder no "Do not sync" menu entry shows up (only "Copy link", "Share..", "Transfer a Copy...", etc).

Also I tool to the Terminal approach: I typed
 xattr -d com.dropbox.ignored ~/Dropbox/path/to/my/folder
but I get "No such xattr: com.dropbox.ignored".

I certainly have Dropbox installed and it's syncing stuff properly.

What can i do to ignore that folder?

Many thanks for your help in advance.

Best,
Wal

desktop
Mac
sync
  • waldalla's avatar
    waldalla
    2 months ago

    I found out what I did wrong: I have to use
        xattr -w com.dropbox.ignored 1 ... 
    instead of
        xattr -d com.dropbox.ignored ...

    The doco does explain this correctly. (I just copied the wrong command line).

    However Dropbox support here in the forum was pretty slow and hopeless. They weren't able to point this out yet.

9 Replies

  • waldalla's avatar
    waldalla
    Helpful | Level 6
    2 months ago

    I found out what I did wrong: I have to use
        xattr -w com.dropbox.ignored 1 ... 
    instead of
        xattr -d com.dropbox.ignored ...

    The doco does explain this correctly. (I just copied the wrong command line).

    However Dropbox support here in the forum was pretty slow and hopeless. They weren't able to point this out yet.

  • waldalla's avatar
    waldalla
    Helpful | Level 6
    2 months ago

    Not sure why you can't see it. I can see it just above your reply....

    In any case,  I paste it here again: (It shows first   ls  with output, then the xattr command.)

    Also find the image here too: https://i.imgur.com/iDn3eW1.png

  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 months ago

    waldalla, for some reason, I’m unable to see the screenshot you’ve attached here. 

    Can you please paste it in your message box once more, so that I can take a look?

    Thanks!

  • waldalla's avatar
    waldalla
    Helpful | Level 6
    2 months ago

    I sent the screenshot as a general reply.

    Please let me know what I can do.

  • waldalla's avatar
    waldalla
    Helpful | Level 6
    2 months ago

    I tried the following in Terminal.app on macOS:

    How can I make the direcory .venv beeing ignored?

    Thanks for your help!

  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 months ago

    Hey waldalla! Apologies for the late reply. 

    Can you send me a screenshot of the command you’ve typed in your Terminal and of any errors you’re receiving after that? 

    We’ll be able to further help this way.

  • waldalla's avatar
    waldalla
    Helpful | Level 6
    2 months ago

    Thanks for looking at this, Megan.

    I am not using Dropbox with File Provider. My Dropbox folder is at ~/Dropbox  and I want to keep it  way.

    How can I ignore a specific folder I can see in Finder as been synced to Dropbox?

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 months ago

    Hey there, waldalla, let's jump right into this! 

    Do you currently use Dropbox on your Mac with File Provider? Is your Dropbox folder located here: ~/Library/CloudStorage? 

    I'm asking because if that's the case then it sounds like you might be using the wrong command. You can see more about this in the relevant Help Center article. 

    Keep me posted for any updates!

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