Date: 2025 07-July 03

Query 0:

What is the difference between the "Sync" button and the "Add shortcut to OneDrive" button in SharePoint Documents?

ChatGPT 0:

Great question — the "Sync" and "Add shortcut to OneDrive" buttons in SharePoint Documents offer different ways of accessing shared files from your computer. Here's a breakdown:

✅ "Sync" Button

Function:
Creates a local copy of the SharePoint document library on your computer using OneDrive sync client.

Details:

• Downloads the full folder (or selected files) to your local machine.

• Files are available in File Explorer under the organization’s name.

• Changes you make sync automatically both ways (cloud ↔️ local).

• Requires OneDrive sync app to be installed and signed in.

• Good for offline access, large libraries, and frequent collaboration.

Typical Path:

C:\Users\<YourName>\YourOrgName\...

Use when:

• You want offline access to files.

• You plan to edit and manage files often from File Explorer.

• You want two-way sync between SharePoint and your computer.

📎 "Add shortcut to OneDrive" Button

Function:
Adds a shortcut link to the SharePoint folder inside your OneDrive web interface and OneDrive folder on your PC.

Details:

• Doesn’t download files immediately.

• Shortcut appears in your OneDrive under “My files.”

• It behaves like a symbolic link to the SharePoint folder.

• Changes reflect in the source, but the link is not a full sync.

• Can cause issues if syncing across multiple accounts or libraries.

Typical Path (in OneDrive):

C:\Users\<YourName>\OneDrive - <YourOrgName>\<ShortcutName>

Use when:

• You want quick access to a few SharePoint folders.

• You don’t need offline access.

• You want a lighter-weight alternative to full sync.

🧠 In Summary:

Let me know your exact use case (e.g. how often you access it, if you need offline access), and I can recommend which is better for you.