You can sync SharePoint folders to File Explorer so files appear on your computer like any other folder

SharePoint syncing lets you work with files stored in SharePoint the same way you work with files on your hard drive. When you sync a SharePoint folder, a copy appears in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), and changes you make sync back to SharePoint automatically. This works whether you're using SharePoint through Microsoft 365, a standalone SharePoint site, or a team site in Microsoft Teams.

The sync process is different depending on whether you're syncing a SharePoint document library, a Teams channel, or a OneDrive folder — but the basic steps are similar across all three. You'll need the OneDrive sync app, which comes built into Windows 11 and is available as a free download for Windows 10 and Mac.

Key Takeaways

  • SharePoint syncing requires the OneDrive sync app, which is built into Windows 11 and available free for Windows 10 and Mac.
  • You sync from the SharePoint site itself by clicking the Sync button on a document library, not from File Explorer.
  • After syncing, a folder appears in File Explorer that stays in sync with SharePoint — changes on your computer upload automatically.
  • You can sync multiple SharePoint libraries and Teams channels to the same computer, and each one appears as a separate folder.
  • Synced files still count toward your OneDrive storage quota, so syncing a large library may fill your quota quickly.

How to sync a SharePoint document library on Windows

Open the SharePoint site in your web browser and navigate to the document library you want to sync. Click the Sync button, which appears in the toolbar at the top of the library. The button looks like two arrows forming a circle. A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm — click Sync again.

Your browser will open a prompt asking whether to allow OneDrive to open. Click Allow or Open. OneDrive will launch, and you'll see a window asking where you want to store the synced folder on your computer. By default, it suggests a folder inside your OneDrive folder, but you can choose any location. Click Next, then click Start Sync. The folder now appears in File Explorer under the location you chose, and syncing begins in the background.

You can check sync status by right-clicking the OneDrive icon in your system tray (bottom right of your screen) and selecting View sync problems. If there are no problems, the icon shows a green checkmark. If files are still syncing, the icon shows a circular arrow.

How to sync a SharePoint document library on Mac

First, download and install the OneDrive app from the Mac App Store or from Microsoft's website if you don't have it already. Open the SharePoint site in your browser and navigate to the document library you want to sync. Click the Sync button in the toolbar.

A dialog will ask you to confirm — click Sync. Your browser will prompt you to open OneDrive. Click Open. OneDrive will ask where to store the synced folder — the default location is inside your OneDrive folder, but you can choose elsewhere. Click Next, then click Start Sync. The folder now appears in Finder, and syncing runs in the background.

Check sync status by clicking the OneDrive icon in your menu bar (top right of your screen). A green checkmark means syncing is complete. A circular arrow means files are still syncing.

Syncing Teams channels instead of SharePoint libraries

If you want to sync files from a Microsoft Teams channel, the process is nearly identical. Open Teams, go to the channel you want to sync, and click the Files tab. Click the Sync button in the toolbar. Follow the same steps as syncing a SharePoint library — confirm the sync, allow OneDrive to open, choose a location, and click Start Sync.

The synced channel folder appears in File Explorer or Finder just like a SharePoint library. Any files you add to the synced folder on your computer automatically appear in the Teams channel, and files added to the channel appear on your computer.

What happens after you sync

Once syncing is complete, the folder behaves like any other folder on your computer. You can open files, edit them, create new files, and delete files — all from File Explorer or Finder. Changes sync back to SharePoint automatically, usually within a few seconds to a few minutes depending on file size and your internet connection.

If you're offline, changes still sync to your local folder. When you reconnect to the internet, OneDrive automatically uploads those changes to SharePoint. If someone else edits a file in SharePoint while you have it open on your computer, OneDrive will alert you and ask how you want to handle the conflict.

Synced files count toward your OneDrive storage quota. If you sync a large library and your quota fills up, you won't be able to sync new files until you delete something or buy more storage. You can see your storage usage by clicking the OneDrive icon and selecting Settings.

Stopping a sync or removing a synced folder

To stop syncing a folder, right-click it in File Explorer or Finder and select Stop syncing. OneDrive will ask you to confirm. The folder remains on your computer, but it no longer syncs with SharePoint. Any changes you make to the local folder won't upload to SharePoint.

If you want to remove the folder from your computer entirely, you can delete it after stopping the sync. The files remain in SharePoint — deleting the local folder doesn't delete them from SharePoint. If you want to sync the same folder again later, you can repeat the sync process from the SharePoint site.

Troubleshooting common sync problems

If syncing stops or shows an error, check your internet connection first. OneDrive pauses syncing if you're offline and resumes automatically when you reconnect. If you're online and syncing still isn't working, right-click the OneDrive icon and select View sync problems. This shows which files failed to sync and why.

Common reasons for sync failures include file name conflicts (two files with the same name in the same folder), files that are too large, or permission issues. If a file name contains characters that Windows or Mac doesn't allow (like asterisks or question marks), OneDrive can't sync it. Rename the file in SharePoint to remove those characters, and syncing will resume.

If you're having trouble finding the Sync button in SharePoint, make sure you're looking at a document library, not a list or page. The Sync button only appears on document libraries. Also check that you have at least read permission on the library — if you can't open files in the library, you can't sync it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sync the same SharePoint library to multiple computers?

Yes. You can sync a SharePoint library to as many computers as you want, and changes sync across all of them. If you edit a file on one computer, the change appears on all other computers within a few seconds to a few minutes. Each computer stores its own copy of the files, so you can work offline on any computer.

Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to sync SharePoint?

No. You need a Microsoft account and access to the SharePoint site, but you don't need to pay for Microsoft 365. The OneDrive sync app is free. However, if the SharePoint site is part of a Microsoft 365 organization, your organization's admin controls whether syncing is allowed.

What's the difference between syncing and downloading files?

Syncing keeps files in sync automatically — changes on your computer upload to SharePoint, and changes in SharePoint download to your computer. Downloading copies files to your computer once, but they don't stay in sync. If you download a file, edit it, and upload it back, you're doing manual syncing instead of automatic syncing.

Can I sync a SharePoint folder that someone else owns?

Yes, as long as you have at least read permission on the folder. You can sync any SharePoint library or Teams channel you can access. If the owner removes your permission later, syncing stops and you'll see an error in OneDrive.

How much storage do synced files use?

Synced files use space on your computer's hard drive and count toward your OneDrive storage quota. If you sync a 10 GB library, you need at least 10 GB of free space on your computer, and the 10 GB counts against your OneDrive quota. If you run out of quota, you can stop syncing folders you don't need regularly.