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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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sry guys, but you are missing the point.
the trick 'do not index to find files with spotlight within the library' was mentioned as a 'solution' before (among others by me).
however, it does not solve (all of) the problem:
spotlight - after applying the trick - DOES find filenames and opens the files.what it DOES not find is any CONTENT of those files now living within the library.
make the test:
look for a filename located in your dropbox using spotlight.
if you have excluded your dropbox from spotlight-indexing in the privacy-settings (system settings \ siri & spotlight - sry if the terms are wrong ... i am using a german system), spotlight will find the file
then identify a (preferably uncommon) word within that file and look for it.
spotlight will NOT find itthen copy that file, move it to the desktop and search again.
give your mac a couple of seconds (no, its not more) to update its spotlight index.spotlight-search for that uncommon word and ... tata ... here it is:
the copy of the db-file will be found on the desktop, but nowhere else.so, one more time dear dropbox-team:
pls address/solve that bug or provide us with a workaround.because not being able to search the contents of files completely destroy my workflow und force me (and about 50 co-workers inmy various consortia) to switch platform.
As reported adding the cloudstorage folder to the spotlight privacy worked to be able to open the files but cmd-r (open in finder) does not work. Dropbox...what say you?!
- To be able to open in Finder is my highest priority as well..
Now I am seriously starting thinking of switching from Dropbox (2TB) to iCloud+ (2TB), or to Google One (2TB), or to other services...
Dropbox please fix this! This is a deal-breaker issue.
Dropbox version 166.4.2920
The new Dropbox (files moved to Cloud) the MacOS Spotlight search in Finder "Search by current folder" option does not yield any results - when switched back to global spotlight search it yields results as expected. Bug in new system architecture?
- Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi dominic k.2, happy February 2nd!
Can you try out the steps my colleague provided here, and let me know if this worked out for you?
In case this made no difference, feel free to send me a couple of screenshots, demonstrating what you see on your end.
Keep me posted!
Please read the above messages. We are able to get db searchable by adding it to the privacy list, however we are unable to open the files in finder...only open the files directly.
Thx. I tried both things, opening the folder and re-indexing Dropbox in Spotlight. Still broken.
I'm open to trying other ideas.
