Forum Discussion

Andrew-RFLB's avatar
Andrew-RFLB
Helpful | Level 5
8 years ago
Solved

Smart Sync and Quick Preview on Mac

Smart Sync causes my quick preview function (spacebar) to not function properly on my Mac. I can't preview thumbnails, or quick preview any videos or photos. Any ideas why this happens?
desktop
Mac
Setting up the apps
  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    8 years ago

    Likely because you're trying to preview a file that doesn't exist on your computer.

     

    When you set a file to Online Only, the only thing that's left of that file on your computer is the necessary information to make it appear in the folder. Since there's no content in the file, your OS (nor any other program) is able to preview it.

     

    Remember, when you set a file to Online Only, the file is removed from the computer leaving behind only a marker file. In order to access that file, whether it be to open and edit it or simply preview it, the file needs to be on the computer (Smart Sync doesn't allow you to open files directly from the Dropbox servers). When you open a file, it's synced back to your local drive and then opened as normal. When you're done with the file, if you want it to be online-only again, you need to mark it as such.

Rich's avatar
Rich
Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
8 years ago

Likely because you're trying to preview a file that doesn't exist on your computer.

 

When you set a file to Online Only, the only thing that's left of that file on your computer is the necessary information to make it appear in the folder. Since there's no content in the file, your OS (nor any other program) is able to preview it.

 

Remember, when you set a file to Online Only, the file is removed from the computer leaving behind only a marker file. In order to access that file, whether it be to open and edit it or simply preview it, the file needs to be on the computer (Smart Sync doesn't allow you to open files directly from the Dropbox servers). When you open a file, it's synced back to your local drive and then opened as normal. When you're done with the file, if you want it to be online-only again, you need to mark it as such.

SDRoberts's avatar
SDRoberts
New member | Level 2
6 years ago

To respond in case anyone else is having the same problem as me: since using Smart Sync, I'm also finding that the quick preview function is also being disabled for files that are downloaded to my local drive, and also for files that are on my local drive and NOT saved on DropBox. Any ideas what's the issue? 

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

    Hey there (SDRoberts), I’m following-up on all the reports posted here & just so as to determine where the issue lies for the behavior you're describing, I’ve sent you a brief message on the email connected to your Forum profile (gathering all the details you’ve included on this discussion). Please have a look at your inbox whenever you have a bit of spare time if you’d like us to work on that together. Thanks in advance!

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