Synchronize files using OneDrive for Business

These notes explain how to sync OneDrive for Business to a local workstation or laptop.

OneDrive: Saving vs Synchronisation

OneDrive is a reliable and resilient file storage service provided with Office 365. Syncing OneDrive means you can keep copies of files stored on OneDrive locally, so that you can access files without Internet Access to Office 365 services. However, OneDrive provides up to 1TB of storage, and users with large file stores may not have sufficient space to store files locally. Check that you have enough disk space before syncing large volumes of files.

• If you want to use OneDrive, but you only need to save files without synchronisation, see these notes.
• You can also sync OneDrive to Outlook Desktop. Contact ComStat Support for help about this.

There are some limits to bear in mind:

• You can sync up to 20,000 items in your OneDrive for Business library, including folders and files.
• You can sync up to 5,000 items in site libraries (Sharepoint), including folders and files.
• In any library, you can download files up to 2 GB.

About OneDrive for Business file sync

You can use OneDrive for Business or Sharepoint site libraries to synchronise folders and files to your computer and then access your files from Windows File Explorer instead of using a web browser to manage files. All subsequent updates you make to files saved in OneDrive sync to OneDrive for Business or site libraries whenever you are online.

To use the sync feature, you need OneDrive for Business Sync App. This app is available with Office 365 subscriptions that includes Office 2013 applications like Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. If you do not have Office 2013, you can download the OneDrive for Business sync app from the app store your device’s operating system relies on for Android/Apple/Windows apps.

Sync OneDrive for Business

To sync OneDrive for Business, follow these steps to open the Library tab and select the Sync option.

• Open your usual web browser and navigate to http://mail.office365.com
• Sign in to Office 365 with your Office 365 email address and password
• Select OneDrive at the top of the page, or select the Office 365 app launcher icon, and then select OneDrive. The app launchers looks like this:

Users can start OneDrive’s background sync by finding the Sync button on the Library tab of OneDrive’s ribbon. Like Office apps (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.), Office 365 apps use ribbons to organize processes. The OneDrive ribbon features a Sync tool on the ribbon’s Library tab. The OneDrive ribbon is located underneath your web browser’s navigation bar. If the OneDrive ribbon is available (see the last screenshot in this article), skip this next step and go to the last step.

• If the OneDrive ribbon is not displayed in your browser window, you need to make a minor adjustment to your web browser. Open OneDrive Settings and then click Show Ribbon. Now, you can go to the last step.

• Now, click the Sync icon on the Library tab to complete the process.