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Spotlight Search Doesn't Link to Files in Dropbox in macOS 13 Ventura
After upgrading to macOS Ventura, I was prompted to upgrade to "Dropbox for macOS 12". I proceeded with that, it moved my Dropbox folder to ~/Library/CloudStorage and confirmed all was successful. Now when using Spotlight to search (I often type something like 'drawings folder' to open a folder called Drawings) the results in Spotlight show the Dropbox app icon beside the name of the item I want (rather than a Finder icon for folder or file). Hitting Enter or clicking on the result switches to Finder and does nothing, or sometimes will open the Applications folder and show the Dropbox app. It's not linking me to the actual file in ~/Library/CloudStorage.
I have done the following and the problem is not solved:
- Restarted
- Ensured all files are available for offline access
- Rebuilt the spotlight index
- Unlinked Dropbox from this Mac, did a complete clean install of dropbox, performed the upgrade to v159.4.5870 and synced just one folder to begin
Nothing works. Any suggestions??
- That’s the same problem I had. I solved it by doing a complete clean install of dropbox. You may not need to do all of this, but to be safe, in Dropbox settings Selective Sync uncheck all of your folders and wait for them to be removed from your Mac. Once that’s done, unlink your Mac from Dropbox preferences. You should see the Dropbox getting started screen. Quit Dropbox and move the app to the Trash. Remove all dropbox files from ~/Library being careful to look at the path name. Only remove things that are within a Dropbox parent folder. Look in library application support, and library preferences. Empty the Trash. Restart your Mac. Reinstall Dropbox from dropbox.com. Once reinstalled, to make things faster sync only one small folder and wait for the prompt that new Dropbox for macOS 12 is available. You should see the message within a few minutes of reinstalling Dropbox. Allow it to upgrade and migrate your files to the new location. Once that’s done you can then sync all your folders. Let your Mac index itself and the problem should be solved.
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Can you locate files on place (in Finder) as well using Cmd + Click? And is there some indication to check if one or other file is synced or not?
yess 🙂
excluding the dropbox folder (library\cloudstorage) in the macos system settings ('dropping' the folder into siri & spotlight / spotlight privacy) does the (weird) trick.
in the spotlight search results the document icons look normal again (not as 'compressed' as previously) and the files will open on enter or double-click as they formerly did (that has stopped out of nowhere the day before yesterday).
thx @lorebett
- So EXCLUDING the folder from the search will make the search works again as intended?
yes ... strange enough, but it really does.
- Thanks, i’ll try this way
Would be so great, of somebody could answer my questions. Everybody is so happy, Dropbox opens files as expected when Dropbox will be excluded by Spotlight (sounds absurd but it works😊 But what about opening in place (in Finder) with Cmd +Click ? I was using this function daily. What about a status - if you drag some file to Dropbox - is it already synced or not? Does these green/blue icons disappeared for ever?
It works after 5 Minutes here (MBP M1 Max - 13.1)
I have been using Dropbox for a while and it used to work fine. But more recently I have noticed that I cam unable to open an excel file right from the spotlight search in Mac. I have to open excel and find that file and then open it or go to the folder where the file is and open it. Does anyone know how to enable spotlight search in mac to find a excel file and open it in excel when pressed enter?
My old method of searching from the top right search bar brings up the usual...Search: This Mac "Dropbox". When I select Dropbox, no files appear. Before Ventura (or before OS 13), the Search always worked for Dropbox files. Please help. Thank you!
- Mark
Super User II
This is the known, and expected, behaviour I'm afraid.
https://help.dropbox.com/installs/macos-support-for-expected-changes
