You can work with SharePoint and Teams files straight from File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), the same way as files on your computer. The OneDrive app keeps them in step with the cloud. There are two ways to set this up, and you should pick one per library, not both.
Shortcut or Sync: which to use
- Add shortcut to My files (recommended): adds the folder to your OneDrive. It then appears in File Explorer or Finder under OneDrive, and on every computer you sign in to. It's also tidier, because everything sits in one place.
- Sync: adds the library as a separate entry under your organisation's name in File Explorer or Finder. It only applies to the computer you set it up on.
Both use the same OneDrive app and both keep your files up to date. Don't use both for the same library, as you'll end up with two copies showing.
Set it up
- Open the SharePoint site in your browser. From Teams, go to the channel, select Files, then Open in SharePoint (it may be under ... or labelled slightly differently).
- Go to the document library or folder you want.
- Select Add shortcut to My files on the toolbar, or Sync.
- If you chose Sync and your browser asks to open Microsoft OneDrive, select Open.
- After a minute or two, the files appear in File Explorer or Finder.
Files On-Demand: save space on your computer
Synced files don't have to take up space on your computer. OneDrive shows every file but only downloads them when you open them. The icons in the Status column tell you where each file is:
- Cloud icon: online only. It downloads when you open it, so you need an internet connection.
- Green tick in a white circle: downloaded to this computer. OneDrive may free up the space again later.
- Solid green circle with a white tick: always kept on this computer, even offline.
To change this, right-click a file or folder and choose Always keep on this device (before travelling, for example) or Free up space. On a Mac, these options may sit under OneDrive in the right-click menu.
Don't sync very large libraries, such as an entire company archive. Syncing hundreds of thousands of files slows down your computer and OneDrive, and can cause sync errors. Add shortcuts only to the folders you actually work in.
Stop syncing a library
- Select the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar (near the clock) or the Mac menu bar.
- Select Settings (the gear icon) > Settings > Account (or Sync and back up in some versions).
- Find the library and choose Stop sync.
For a shortcut, right-click it in File Explorer or Finder and choose Remove shortcut, or remove it from My files in OneDrive on the web. Your files stay safe in SharePoint either way.
Still stuck?
If files aren't appearing or show errors, see Fix OneDrive sync problems, or log a ticket and tell us which site or library you're trying to sync.