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Exclude folder from syncing - but KEEP on desktop

I can't seem to find an answer to this issue specifically. I have a folder within a folder that contains many files I do not want added to my dropbox. Attempting to use selective-sync, I went into my Dropbox preferences on my Macbook and deselected the folder from syncing, however, when I clicked update, it get deleted the folder from my desktop and is only available on dropbox.com. I would like to keep the files on my desktop, but not have them added to my dropbox.

I tried using this article (https://help.dropbox.com/sync/ignored-files) to use terminal to specifically exclude this folder from syncing, however, I cannot seem to get the code correct and keep receiving error messages in terminal. I am not quite sure where here:

xattr -w com.dropbox.ignored 1 /Users/yourname/Dropbox\ \(Personal\)/YourFileName.pdf

Where I am supposed to begin adding my file path, etc?

Previous to this, I would 'right-click' on a folder and use the dropdown menu to exclude it from sync-ing to dropbox. However, that seems to not be available now?

Screenshot 2023-03-11 at 9.53.13 PM.png

I have also gone on dropbox.com to attempt to see if I can find away to exclude this folder, but I cannot. Is there any way I can keep this folder where it is, exclude it from Dropbox, and have it remain on my computer?

[MacOS: 13.2.1 (22D68)]

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Accepted answers

Jay

Hi @GMoneyy, thanks for messaging the Community!

If you choose 'Get info' on the folder in question, you would get the full file path.

That is where you would replace the example files path in the command line for Terminal.

If you have any further queries, feel free to message back.

All comments

Jay

Hi @GMoneyy, thanks for messaging the Community!

If you choose 'Get info' on the folder in question, you would get the full file path.

That is where you would replace the example files path in the command line for Terminal.

If you have any further queries, feel free to message back.

GMoneyy

Thank you! I was able to figure out what to type into terminal and excluded the folder along with a few extra large files.

Thanks again for your help!

irenesf

Many of us want to have some fires only on the computer, not on DB. But we prefer not to use Terminal. I think we can have folders in our Home folder but outside the library where DB now lives, that would work. However we would prefer to have a folder on the always visible Desktop to work with!

Any suggestions?

Walter

Hey @irenesf, I'm afraid the only way I can think of is by using our ignore feature as outlined here which would require you to use the terminal.

I wish I had a better answer for you.

irenesf

Thank you Walter, but phooey! Too bad adding a tilde ~ to the name of the folder does not indicate to DB that is is hands off!

Am I correct about putting it in one's HOME folder would work?

Jay

HI @irenesf, aside from using Terminal command, it wouldn't be possible to prevent files from automatically syncing to the Dropbox site.

Regarding the shortcut, what exactly are you trying to achieve? Is this to access certain folders in Dropbox quickly via the desktop?

irenesf

Many things are needed urgently and often for a week or two. Then they are deleted.
No need to waste DB space on those items. .

Walter

Thanks for the additional information and elaborating on your use-case @irenesf

The best workaround we can suggest for the moment is the one which includes using the terminal as outlined here.

You can also keep an eye out on this idea as the team is working on bringing folder selection for Dropbox Backup, in case this helps with what you had in mind.

deniserector

the directions at https://help.dropbox.com/sync/ignored-files are quite poor for mac users

here is how mac users can exclude files

mac users should

- go to the file/folder you want to exclude

- right-click for 'get info'

- right click on file path and click on the balloon 'copy as file path'

- open textedit and paste - you will need this in a moment

open textedit

copy this from the instructions on the other page

xattr -w com.dropbox.ignored 1 /Users/yourname/Dropbox\ \(Personal\)/YourFileName.pdf

where /Users is, delete that and everything after it, and paste in what you took from Get Info --

in other words you should have

xattr -w com.dropbox.ignored 1 (and then paste your getinfo)

and THEN what you copied from Get info

then copy your new xattr info into terminal, paste, and hit enter.

I spent 20 min following the other directions with no success.