Natively, cloud storage platforms don’t communicate with each other, so syncing involves setting up some way for the platforms to transfer data reliably between one another.
While Dropbox and SharePoint can't sync with each other natively, you can sync a folder between both platforms by using Couchdrop.
How to Sync folders between Dropbox and SharePoint with Couchdrop
Couchdrop can bridge this gap and provide the ability to automate the one-directional syncing of files between two disparate platforms, such as SharePoint and Dropbox. Note that while these two platforms will be used for this guide, the same process applies across any storage integrations, whether it’s SFTP → SharePoint, Dropbox → Google Drive, Windows File System → S3, or any other combination.
For this example, we'll show you how to sync a Dropbox folder to SharePoint and configure a scheduled automation to sync files at a scheduled time.
Step 1 - Connect Dropbox
Once you're logged into Couchdrop, click to add a new storage integration. Couchdrop supports both Personal Dropbox accounts and Team Dropbox accounts, each with its own connector.
For this guide, we'll use Dropbox Team as the example. Find Dropbox Team from the list and fill out the information to establish a connection. We recommend connecting as an Administrator with maximum permissions in order to ensure there will be no permission issues when syncing the folder.
Couchdrop connects to Dropbox via OAuth, and this authorization only needs to be done during the initial connection.
After completing the authorization, check that Couchrop has made a successful connection. You can also choose a subfolder to act as the root for the Dropbox connection. If using a subfolder, make sure that the folder you need to sync is within the folder acting as the root.
Step 2 — Mount SharePoint
Next, connect SharePoint. The connection process for SharePoint is similar; add a new storage integration, choose SharePoint, and connect via OAuth.
The only difference is that SharePoint has an Endpoint field that can be changed to establish a GCC connection, and you can also connect via application access if delegated OAUTH is not permitted by your organization or you need to connect with restrictive permissions.
Step 3 - Configure scheduled sync
With both platforms connected, the next step is to set up the sync between the two platforms. To do this, set up a new transfer automation, which will run at a scheduled interval to copy files from the Dropbox account to SharePoint. Couchdrop also supports secondary schedules to have the same process run at two or more differing intervals.
For the location, choose the Dropbox folder you want to be synced to SharePoint and then choose either the files in the folder or the files in the folder and all subfolders.
Since this is a one-way sync, simply use the Transfer/Copy File action. For the Destination, choose the SharePoint document library you want files to sync to.
Step 4 - Testing
After creating your sync, you can run the workflow manually to test that it works. This will run the actions immediately instead of at the next scheduled interval. Check both platforms to ensure that the data synced as expected.
If the file already exists in SharePoint, Couchdrop won't transfer the file from Dropbox again as long as it has the same size and modtime. When these values are different, the file will be overwritten with the new data.
Step 5 - Dropbox folder is now synced to SharePoint
The Dropbox folder is now synced to SharePoint, and files will now be copied from Dropbox into the SharePoint file at the time frame configured in the automation. You can update this timeframe and the specifics of the automation at any time, with ranges from every 5 minutes and higher depending on your needs.
What about two-way syncs?
While it's technically possible (with caveats), two-way syncing carries a number of risks and requires a way to handle conflicts between platforms. Because of the variables and potential issues, we recommend avoiding automatic syncing between platforms.
Instead, a safer way to sync data bi-directionally is by setting up two individual one-way transfer automations that copy files between platforms. While this method won't sync any deletions across platforms, it will pull across any updated files as long as there is a difference in size/modtime.
Test file syncing with a Couchdrop trial
Want to try making this and other automations for yourself? You can try Couchdrop free with instant access for 14 days. There's no credit card required and you don't have to go through a product demo or other hoops if you don't want to. Simply sign up and go to get started.