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Forum Discussion

Andrew-RFLB's avatar
Andrew-RFLB
Helpful | Level 5
8 years ago
Solved

Smart Sync and Quick Preview on Mac

Smart Sync causes my quick preview function (spacebar) to not function properly on my Mac. I can't preview thumbnails, or quick preview any videos or photos. Any ideas why this happens?
desktop
Mac
Setting up the apps
  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    8 years ago

    Likely because you're trying to preview a file that doesn't exist on your computer.

     

    When you set a file to Online Only, the only thing that's left of that file on your computer is the necessary information to make it appear in the folder. Since there's no content in the file, your OS (nor any other program) is able to preview it.

     

    Remember, when you set a file to Online Only, the file is removed from the computer leaving behind only a marker file. In order to access that file, whether it be to open and edit it or simply preview it, the file needs to be on the computer (Smart Sync doesn't allow you to open files directly from the Dropbox servers). When you open a file, it's synced back to your local drive and then opened as normal. When you're done with the file, if you want it to be online-only again, you need to mark it as such.

Andrew-RFLB's avatar
Andrew-RFLB
Helpful | Level 5
8 years ago

No, unfortunately it turns off Quick Preview (or Quicklook) for all of my files, even local, until I restart my Mac. And if I happen to try to preview an online-only file, it causes it to malfunction again. I can basically just avoid hitting spacebar with online-only files, but it is annoying if I want to use it to see those files' sizes.

sewashen's avatar
sewashen
New member | Level 2
7 years ago

Hello Andrew, did you find a solution to your problem? I am still having the same problem as you.

  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 years ago
    👋 Hi to all following this thread! In order to forward you reports to the relevant team of specialized technicians, please let me know if you’d like us to work on that together on this discussion here & I’ll reach out to you on my end on the email address connected to your Forum profile. Thanks in advance & I’m looking forward to hearing back from you!
    • DanKorkelia's avatar
      DanKorkelia
      Helpful | Level 5
      7 years ago

      Hi Jane,

      Yes please keep up to date on this subject. Best Wishes

      Dan

      • Jane's avatar
        Jane
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        7 years ago

        Hey there DanKorkelia & horat10, in order to further investigate what's happening, I’ve sent you a brief message on the email connected to your Forum profile. You may have a look at your inboxes at your earliest convenience if you’d like us to work on that together. Thanks in advance! 

    • Ideal1's avatar
      Ideal1
      Helpful | Level 5
      7 years ago
      So, have you the solution for this problem, in my case is a big issue?
      8/9 months to fix is not good tech support.
      Can you help us?
      • Jane's avatar
        Jane
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        7 years ago
        Hey there (Ideal1), rest assured that I’m here to help as much as possible. If it’s not too much trouble for you, can you elaborate a bit on what seems to be the issue on your end, in order to follow-up on the right thing? 
         
        To best address your concern, please include as much detail as possible on this discussion & I’ll do my best to follow-up with you. Thanks in advance! 

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