How To Set Up Scrivener With Dropbox

If y'all want to share a Scrivener projection between two or more computers you tin use a deject-sync service to automatically sync the project between them. This article will cover syncing between macOS and/or Windows computers. If you're looking for communication on iOS syncing, click here.

There are many cloud-sync services available but one that works well with Scrivener is Dropbox. A Scrivener projection is made upwardly of many linked and interdependent files, and each one needs to be synced correctly to avert problems with the projection. The guidelines below are written with Dropbox in mind simply would besides apply to other similar cloud-sync solutions. If you are using any of the services listed below then delight read the advisory note.

Google Drive Advisory
OneDrive for Windows viii Advisory
Box Informational

Guidelines for Using Dropbox

Once Dropbox is installed on your computer it will create a folder on your hard disk, which volition then sync to your Dropbox account. If you lot desire to share a Scrivener project then it has to be stored that folder. As you work on the project, Scrivener will save the files you change on your local hard drive, these volition and then be automatically uploaded to Dropbox then downloaded to the other computers using that Dropbox business relationship.

Following the guidelines below when syncing Scrivener projects will minimise potential issues:

Never, ever open up the same project on more than than one computer at a time: Be sure to completely close your projection on i calculator earlier leaving that figurer and opening it on another car. Scrivener will warn you lot if it thinks the projection is open on another figurer. E'er mind this warning and check that the projection was airtight correctly.
Practise not shut downward or sleep your computer before Dropbox finishes uploading: information technology takes time for the files to sync. When endmost Scrivener there will be a number of final files that Scrivener saves, and that Dropbox will need to upload. If you simply slumber your machine, or allow Scrivener close as part of the shutdown sequence, Dropbox might non get a chance to upload the final changes.
Exercise non open the project before your Dropbox binder is fully synced: if you try to open the projection while your Dropbox folder is still syncing files from your other reckoner, you could be opening it in its erstwhile state. Exist sure the tick in the green circle is present in the Dropbox icon in your menu or task bar - if it'due south not, don't open the project: expect until Dropbox is fully synced.
Maintain local backups of your projects: by default Scrivener will automatically create a backup re-create of a project when it is closed. Cull a fill-in location somewhere on your local hard bulldoze. Don't use Dropbox equally you may end up overwriting the backup from a different computer. Bankroll up locally will ensure that your project has backups on every computer y'all use Scrivener on. Both the Mac and Windows Scrivener manuals (bachelor from the Help carte du jour) accept sections on 'Backing Upwards Your Work' and we as well have a tutorial video on backups.

Follow the above guidelines and you should be able to sync your projects between computers without running into problems. However, no syncing solution is 100% reliable. Nosotros tin can have no responsibility for piece of work lost through syncing problems, or for whatever other reason -- always be sure to support!

NOTE: If you are sharing a projection between macOS and Windows computers please read this article.

Solving Bug

If a project fails to open properly, or if parts of the project go missing or appear out of date, then information technology may accept been damaged by a syncing error. The start thing you should do is to check the back ups of the project to see if you take an undamaged version. The Scrivener manual has information on restoring from backups.

Scrivener will normally detect if a file was not synced properly and if whatsoever significant conflicts are found, a second re-create of the item will be created inside a binder called 'Conflicts' added to the height level of the Binder. You can and so review the conflicts, decide which version to carry on working with, or manually copy and paste text to merge them, and and then movement any unwanted copies into the Trash.

Alternatives to Direct Syncing

If you're looking for the convenience of sync without nearly of the risks that tin come from the technology, accept a wait at our alternative arroyo to syncing.

Annotation on External Folder Sync

External folder sync is intended for working on files in other programs and and so being able to sync them back to Scrivener. You lot should never try to utilize external folder sync to synchronise Scrivener projects between machines - if you do and then, yous volition corrupt your project and meet some very odd results.

If you have whatever further questions on sharing projects, or would like to read and share tips with other users, delight visit this thread on our forum. The Scrivener transmission has a chapter on 'Cloud Integration and Sharing' where you will notice further useful information.