How to Sync Scrivener with Dropbox

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Syncing Scrivener projects with Dropbox is a great way to ensure that your work is safe and can be accessed from multiple devices. This process allows you to access and edit your Scrivener projects without any hassle, whether you are on your computer, your iPad, or another machine. In this guide, we will walk you through the entire process of syncing Scrivener with Dropbox. We will also tell you in detail about the possible problems and how to solve them. So, let’s dive into this detailed guide.

What is Scrivener?

Scrivener is a powerful content-creation tool for long documents used by authors, novelists, researchers, journalists, and screenwriters. It provides a management system for documents, notes, metadata, and more, making it a popular tool for writing projects of varying lengths and complexities.

What is Dropbox?

Dropbox is a cloud storage service that allows you to save files online and sync them automatically across your devices. It offers backup options and sharing capabilities, making it an ideal tool for writers who need to keep their work accessible and secure.

Why sync Scrivener with Dropbox?

The main reasons why you might want to sync Scrivener with Dropbox include:

• Access: By syncing with Dropbox, you can access your projects from any device where both Scrivener and Dropbox are available.
• Backup: Dropbox provides an additional layer of backup for your projects, preventing data loss if anything happens to your local devices.
• Collaboration: If you're working with others, Dropbox can make it easy to share your Scrivener projects.

Set up Dropbox on your device

1. Create a Dropbox account: If you don't already have an account, go to the Dropbox website and create an account. You can choose a free plan or a paid plan with additional storage and features.
2. Install Dropbox: Download and install the Dropbox application on your device. This app is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems.
3. Sign in: After installation, open the Dropbox app and sign in with your account credentials.

Preparing your Scrivener project

Before you sync, make sure your Scrivener project is organized and saved. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Scrivener project you want to sync.
2. Go to File, then Save As and make sure your project name is clear and doesn’t contain any special characters.
3. Close your project before starting the sync process to avoid file issues.

Syncing Scrivener with Dropbox

Follow these steps to sync your Scrivener project with Dropbox:

1. Create a folder in Dropbox: Go to the Dropbox directory on your computer. Create a new folder specifically for your Scrivener project. This helps maintain organized file storage.
2. Move your project: Copy and paste your Scrivener project into the newly created Dropbox folder. Make sure your project is completely in this folder to avoid broken links or lost files.
3. Set up Scrivener Sync (Mac/Windows):
   • Open Scrivener, and go to File > Open.
   • Select the project location in your Dropbox folder. This sets up your project to run directly from Dropbox.
4. Set up Scrivener sync (iPad/iPhone for iOS):
   • Make sure you have the Dropbox app installed on your iOS device and that you’re logged in.
   • Open the Scrivener app on your iOS device. Tap Projects.
   • Tap Sync and select Dropbox from the available options.
   • Authorize Scrivener to access your Dropbox files if prompted.
   • Select the Dropbox folder where your Scrivener project is stored. Scrivener for iOS will now sync with this folder.

Using Scrivener on all devices

After setting up your sync, you can now easily use Scrivener on different devices. Here is the process to follow:

• Always close a project before changing devices: Before leaving one device and opening a project on another, close the project file. This ensures that Dropbox can fully sync any changes.
• Allow Dropbox to sync: Make sure Dropbox has finished uploading your current session before you access the project from another device. You can check this by looking for signs that Dropbox is fully synchronized in the Dropbox app or system tray.
• Reopen on the new device: When Dropbox indicates that all files are up to date, repeat the opening process on the new device.

Common problems and troubleshooting

Issue: Disputed copy

Conflicting copies occur when the same Scrivener project is opened on two different devices without syncing. Dropbox won't know how to merge the changes, leading to a separate conflicting file.

1. Resolution:
   • Choose the most complete/accurate version and make sure it is fully saved before manually changing or merging any differences.
   • Avoid working on multiple devices simultaneously.

Problem: Partial sync

Partial sync occurs when Dropbox doesn't complete its upload before you disconnect from the internet or close down.

1. Resolution:
   • Make sure your internet connection remains stable until Dropbox prompts a complete sync.
   • Regularly verify your Dropbox folder via the website to make sure all files are present and updated.

Problem: Locked files

If Scrivener crashes or does not close properly the files may become locked. This results in an access conflict when trying to open the project.

1. Resolution:
   • Restart the device to release any locked files.
   • Check for unsaved projects in Session Restore within Scrivener.

Best practices for Scrivener Dropbox sync

• Regular backups: Make sure that Scrivener backups are created and stored separately from the sync folder.
• Keep Dropbox up to date: Regularly updating Dropbox ensures maximum compatibility, reducing the chance of sync failure.
• Check for updates: Make sure both Dropbox and Scrivener are up to date to maintain the best sync capabilities.
• Minimize the use of large files: Large files can slow down the sync process. Minimize them or exclude them from your project whenever possible.
• Organize files: Keep your Dropbox organized and use descriptive names for files and folders to avoid confusion.

Conclusion

Syncing Scrivener projects with Dropbox provides peace of mind by ensuring that your work is backed up and accessible from anywhere. This detailed guide will help you effectively set up and troubleshoot your syncing process. Remember, successful syncing relies heavily on good digital habits, such as closing projects before changing devices and keeping everything updated.

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