Knowledge Base

Syncing SharePoint files using OneDrive for Business

To work with files from SharePoint site libraries directly in File Explorer, and access the files even when you're offline, you can sync the files to your computer using OneDrive for Business. Whenever you're online, any changes that you or others made while offline will sync automatically.

Note:
OneDrive uses a sync client to achieve synchronisation. There are two different sync clients in use with OneDrive for Business; the "new" or "next generation" OneDrive for Business Sync Client, and the "previous" OneDrive for Business Sync Client. Office 365 subscribers using OneDrive for Business will generally use the "new" Sync Client, but to sync SharePoint files you must use the "previous" Sync Client.
If you're an Office 365 subscriber, but also want to sync across SharePoint site libraries, you can run both Sync Clients at the same time.

This article describes how to set up your computer to sync SharePoint files using OneDrive for Business.

Note:
To sync OneDrive for Business files, using the "new" or "next generation" OneDrive for Business Sync Client, please refer to knowledge article KB0011378, Syncing your OneDrive for Business files.
If you'd like to find out which sync client you're using, see knowledge article KB0011382, Which version of OneDrive sync client am I using?.

 

Syncing a SharePoint library to your computer

Note:
Microsoft have produced a helpful video showing how to sync a SharePoint library to your computer. See, Sync a site library to your computer.

To sync a SharePoint site library to your computer, proceed as follows.

  1. Sign in to your organisation's SharePoint site.
  2. Open the library you want to sync to your computer.

  1. Click the Sync button.

The following dialogue box appears.

  1. Click Sync now.
  2. If you receive a message from your web browser to allow the application to launch, then click Yes.

The sync app wizard starts and, after a short wait, a dialogue box appears, asking, Which library do you want to sync? The wizard automatically fills in the address details of the library you have chosen.

  1. Click the Sync Now button to start syncing.

The following box appears while the sync wizard proceeds.

When complete, the Sign in dialogue box appears.

  1. In the textbox, enter the email address of the account that you would like to use to open the library document.
  2. Click Next.

You are then prompted to sign in to your account.

  1. Enter your Password, and click Sign in.

The synced library is now visible in your File Explorer, listed under Favorites, in the SharePoint folder

This synced SharePoint library may be accessed even when you're offline. Whenever you're online, any changes that you made while offline will now sync automatically.