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File sync with external users

Anonymous
2020-06-26T13:43:21+00:00

Hi folks,

I sucessefully manage to create a project taks list and I did setup my resources to edit and view tasks and the Project site according to their permissions. However, despite the fact that my external users are able to see and edit tasks, files and folders (according to their permissions aswell) via browser, thay canno't sync the folders with their computers/Windows Explorer.

Is it possible, how?

Or the sync option is only avaliable to my resoruces that are inside my domain?

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-07-02T14:21:16+00:00

    Hi Ivan-Brhuehue,

    Thanks for the detailed description from your end and I apologize for not being so clear from our end about the external sharing user to sync the shared document libraries in the SharePoint Online.

    Personal account users like Gmail.com, Outlook.com, Hotmail.com etc. can’t sync the Document Library of the SharePoint Online provided the Business organization where they can only view or access them in the browser. The possible reason is SharePoint Online Document library is linked with the OneDrive for Business, since the personal users doesn’t have the OneDrive for Business, they can’t be able to sync it.

    External users with the Business account like contoso.onmicrosoft.com are be able to sync the Document Library shared by the other organization without any problem.

    To your scenario, as the external users are having the Gmail account, we are sorry to convey that they are not possible to sync the Shared document libraries on their apart from accessing in the browser.

    I do understand the inconvenience caused at by the external users end and apologies for it. 

    As a workaround, if you want the external users with the personal account want the folders in the SharePoint Document Library to display in the File Explorer of their Windows device, you can allow them to make the SharePoint Document Library as a Network Drive. Here is the reference article: Mapping a SharePoint site as a network drive.

    Disclaimer: Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology.​

    ​  

    Hope the workaround helps the external users and thanks for your understanding!

    Best regards,

    Gloria

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-06-30T14:23:58+00:00

    Hi Ivan-Brhuehue,

    Thanks for your patience. Regarding to your issue, based on our test with my work account, it works at my end and all files/ folders are synced. Thus, you may try letting the users to stop the sync via clicking the “Stop sync” button and remove the synced folder the file Explorer then re-sync the folder again. 

    Hope everything goes well, and you can let us know more information on your side.

    Best regards,

    Gloria

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-06-29T14:16:26+00:00

    Hi Gloria,

    I think I was not clear on what I need. So I will detail and provide you with a few screen shots as well.

    Me as a project manager I can create a set of tasks.

    And I can create a file & folder structure that are accessible to users inside and outside my organization.

    Users inside my organization can click the “Sync” button and sync files and folders to their Windows Explorer.

    In the other hand, while testing an user outside my organization, I can, see the task lists and files that were shared:

    This is the “documents” folder as seen by a visitor. They can access the folders according to their permissions (read/write). However, once they click the “sync” button, Onedrive is automatically opened, but the folders are not shown in their Windows Explorer.

    Witch leads me to question. Is the “sync” folder available only to users who are inside my Organization? Evidence leads me to believe so. Whowever, if “Sync” is not an option to external users, it should not be shown to them.

    Thanks for the follow-up on my request and I hope you have a great week.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-06-26T21:30:12+00:00

    Hi Ivan-Brhuehue,

    According to your description, you create a project tasks list, the external are able to see and edit the tasks, and you would like to know whether they can sync the folders with their computers/ Windows Explorer.

    If you want to sync the contents of the project ( as below screenshot), you can refer this article to check the result.

    ***Disclaimer:***Microsoft provides no assurances and/or warranties, implied or otherwise, and is not responsible for the information you receive from the third-party linked sites or any support related to technology. ​

    May I confirm what do you mean sync the folders? Could you please capture the screenshot of the folders page at your side with us?

    Appreciate your cooperation in advance.

    Best regards,

    Gloria

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