14 Comments on Sync Folders

Defourneaux on Tue, 8th Nov 2005 11:41 am


Hello, this action seems interesting but, unfortunately, doesn’t work with me.
The only message I get is : “sorry, I only work on folders. The first item you selected is not a folder.”. Sorry, but both item I selected are folders.
My flat iMac G4 is running Mac OS X 10.4.3.
Any idea ?

Günther Schirak on Thu, 17th Nov 2005 8:59 am


same comment here. would be great if someone could explain, why this is happening. friend of mine has the same problem
working on a PPC G5 dual 2gig with 10.4.3
any suggestions to solve this one?

Chris on Mon, 8th Jan 2007 9:47 pm


maybe it’s just because i’m new to mac, but how do i choose which folders i want it to sync? i tried clicking the “+” button and selecting one from the list, but when i run the automator action, nothing happens. do i have to add more actions to create my own workflow? what it comes down to is that i’m trying to sync all my documents/pictures, etc. with my external HD for backup reasons…

Christina on Wed, 17th Jan 2007 9:08 am


I’m having the same problem as Chris. I’ve tried learning how to do workflows and actions, but am still not sure where it is that I need to identify my folders. I tried doing it as Chris described, but nothing happened to my files, either.

David on Wed, 24th Jan 2007 6:01 pm


I too have the same problem as Chris. Are there any actions that I need to put before and after the sync folders workflow to from which folder to which folder?

Tim on Mon, 30th Apr 2007 3:26 am


I also have this problem! I just can open the action with auomator, when I try to run it nothing seems to happen.

NoBob on Thu, 12th Jul 2007 9:31 am


It’s poor that there aren’t any instructions on how to use this action. I also tried Compare Folders and can’t get that working either. For those who’re new to Automator, PLEASE POST SOME INSTRUCTIONS!!

Gil on Sun, 22nd Jul 2007 11:19 am


Same problem here. Are there any instructions for this?

New2theGame on Mon, 10th Sep 2007 12:07 am


After downloading the latest version, I imported it into Automator (via the import menu option), and it worked like a charm.

My workflow was very simple:

Get Specified Finder Items
Sync Folders

cheers

AT on Thu, 5th Feb 2009 7:47 am


hey there,
just thought i’d leave a brief tutorial for how to use this thing for newbies like me who don’t know how to use automator already.
1. download this puppy and extract it… it’ll ask you to install it.
2. say yes, it’ll open up “Automator” and ask if you want to start a new ‘workflow’
3. say yes, “custom”
4. drag the two folders (from wherever they are, in Finder) you want to sync into the large open area on the right of automator
5. drag “Sync Folders” from the list of actions on the left – not far left, just to the right of the far left column. you should now have 2 little rectangle boxes in the automator window.
6. “save as” whatever you’d like to call that sync action – eg Sync Photo Folder 1 and 2 – you can save it as an application if you’d like… don’t know that it matters, just whatever you’ll access most easily.
7. run it in the automator window, or run it from wherever you saved it.
bingo, bango, you’re dun.
AT
ps thanks for the cool automator tool, Ben

AB on Fri, 3rd Jul 2009 2:22 am


Does this work with the iDisk? I tried syncing my documents with the documents folder on iDisk but I get an error saying check the actions properties and try again.. is there any solution?

Ben Long on Mon, 6th Jul 2009 9:16 am


Unfortunately, this doesn’t work with network volumes.

Caroline on Sat, 28th Nov 2009 9:38 pm


Thanks for the tutorial AT – and for the complete utter newbies, import the sync action into Automator – File > Import Actions before step 4.

Keith Howell on Sat, 26th Dec 2009 9:10 am


I am using your sync folders routine. I’m very new to the mac world and have a lot to learn. Question…. What is the difference with the pass on – both, 1st and 2nd folder mean? It seems to me like they all sync data the same way.

Thanks for folks like you to make this digital juggling easier.

Keith

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