Sync a SharePoint Library to Your Computer with OneDrive

Syncing a SharePoint document library puts your team's files in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) so you can open, edit and save them like local files. Changes you make sync back to SharePoint automatically, and your colleagues see them.

Before you start

• You need the OneDrive sync app installed and signed in with your work account. It is included with Windows 10, Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 for Mac.
• You need at least read access to the SharePoint site and library you want to sync.
• You need enough free disk space, though Files On-Demand (enabled by default) keeps most files online-only until you open them.

If you are not signed in to OneDrive, click the blue cloud icon in the taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) and follow the sign-in prompts using your work email address.

Choose: Add shortcut to OneDrive, or Sync

SharePoint offers two buttons that do similar things. Microsoft recommends Add shortcut to OneDrive for most people.

Option	What it does	Best for
Add shortcut to OneDrive	Places a link to the library (or folder) inside your OneDrive folder. It follows you to any device where you sign in to OneDrive, and it is visible on OneDrive on the web.	Almost everyone. Fewer sync connections, easier to manage, works across your devices automatically.
Sync	Creates a separate top-level folder on this computer only, grouped under your organization's name.	Cases where you want the library kept separate from your OneDrive, or where the shortcut option is not available.

You can use either method, but do not use both on the same library. That creates duplicate copies on your computer and causes confusing sync errors.

Add a library as a shortcut in OneDrive (recommended)

1. In a browser, open the SharePoint site and go to the document library you want (for example Documents).
2. Stay at the top level of the library, or open the specific folder you want.
3. On the command bar, select Add shortcut to OneDrive.
4. Wait for the confirmation message. The shortcut appears in your OneDrive folder in File Explorer or Finder, marked with a link icon.

If you do not see the button, the library may be set to block syncing, or the page may need a refresh. Contact your IT support team.

Sync a library to its own folder

1. Open the SharePoint document library in a browser.
2. On the command bar, select Sync.
3. If prompted, allow the browser to open the OneDrive sync app.
4. Sign in with your work account if asked.
5. When setup finishes, open File Explorer or Finder. The library appears in the left navigation under your organization's name, below your personal OneDrive.

Work with synced files

• Open and edit files normally. Saving writes the change back to SharePoint.
• Status icons next to each file tell you its state: a cloud means online-only, a green check in a white circle means downloaded and available offline, a solid green circle with a white check means always kept on this device, and circular arrows mean syncing in progress.
• Keep a file offline by right-clicking it and choosing Always keep on this device. Do this before traveling or working without internet.
• Free up space by right-clicking a file or folder and choosing Free up space. The file stays in SharePoint and reappears as online-only.

Stop syncing a library

If you used Add shortcut to OneDrive

1. Open your OneDrive folder in File Explorer or Finder.
2. Right-click the shortcut folder and select Remove shortcut.

This removes the link from your devices. It does not delete anything from SharePoint.

If you used Sync

1. Click the OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar or menu bar.
2. Select the gear icon, then Settings.
3. Go to the Account tab.
4. Find the library in the list and select Stop sync.
5. Confirm when prompted.

The local folder stays on your computer with a copy of the downloaded files. Delete it manually if you no longer need it. Online-only files in that folder become unusable placeholders once sync stops, so make sure anything you need is downloaded first.

Troubleshooting

The Sync or Add shortcut button is missing

Your organization or the site owner may have disabled syncing for that library. Check with your IT support team.

Files show a red circle with a white X

Sync is blocked for that item. Common causes are an invalid character in the file name, a file name that is too long, a file larger than the supported limit, or a permission change that removed your access. Click the OneDrive icon to see the specific error and the suggested fix.

Files show a yellow triangle warning

The sync app needs attention, usually because your account needs to be re-authenticated or your OneDrive storage is full. Click the icon and follow the prompt.

Changes are not appearing

1. Confirm you are online and the OneDrive icon is not paused (a pause symbol over the cloud).
2. Click the OneDrive icon, select the gear, then Resume syncing if it is paused.
3. Close any Office apps that have the file open and wait a minute.
4. If it still does not sync, sign out and back in to the sync app, or restart your computer.

Syncing is slow or the computer is sluggish

Large libraries take time on first sync. Avoid marking entire large libraries as Always keep on this device. As a guideline, keep each synced library under roughly 300,000 items and keep your total synced item count well below that across all libraries.

Good practice

• Sync only the folders you actively work in rather than an entire site.
• Do not rename or move the synced root folders on your computer.
• Deleting a file in the synced folder deletes it in SharePoint for everyone. It goes to the site recycle bin, where it can be restored within the retention period.
• For large archive libraries you rarely touch, use the browser instead of syncing.

If you still cannot sync after these steps, contact your IT support team with the site name, library name and the exact error text shown by the OneDrive app.