We all heard about Microsoft SkyDrive online document storage and file sharing. There is link to "SkyDrive" in upper right corner in SharePoint 2013.
This "SkyDrive" link is NOT a link to your SkyDrive folder.
How it works
There is a "SkyDrive" link in upper right corner in SharePoint 2013:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
It opens a document library on MySite. I can also open that library, if I click on Site Contents, and click on Documents on MySite. There is a welcome text: "Welcome to your SkyDrive Pro, the place to store, sync, and share your work."
Oh, it's SkyDrive Pro, a business version of SkyDrive, based on SharePoint. SharePoint is the "sky". It takes over the role of sky here.
The document library is empty.
I clicked on "Sync library to computer" button in the Ribbon:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
I got a popup window to define the folder on my computer:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
Nice! I got a SkyDrive folder on my computer :-) No need for "sky", or should I call it "cloud", to work with SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive.
I copied a document "Text.docx" from another folder into my new "SkyDrive" folder:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
Few seconds after, I can see the document in the Documents library on MySite:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
Document is called "Text.docx". It is stored in a SharePoint library. It is in the "sky". I can click on "..." next to the document and get to edit, follow, share the document..
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
The document "Text.docx" is also stored in the folder on my computer. The folder has a nice icon with clouds, and it's called "SkyDrive Pro":
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
The definition of word "sky" is: "everything that lies a certain distance above the surface of Earth". "Sky" is nice and blue, for me. No clouds in that picture. Clouds contain rain or snow. That must be the reason why is the sky presented with a "cloud". I thought that only farmers liked clouds and rain.
Sky is cloudy up north though. SharePoint product group is based in Redmond near Seattle. I have a postcard from Seattle with 4 smaller photos of gray sky with clouds, with Space Needle and city skyline. 4 almost the same photos. On first of the 4 photos, there is text: "Summer in Seattle", on the second photo: "Winter in Seattle", on third: "Spring in Seattle"...
I don't think that is the reason why "sky" is presented with "cloud" icon. ;-)
"SkyDrive Pro" is just a folder. I can open and edit the documents in this folder. The changes that I make to the documents in this folder are synced back, or should I say "up" to SharePoint. I like that.
What did happen here? I synced the document library on MySite to a folder on my computer. I used a "Sync library to computer" button in the Ribbon. This "Sync library to computer" button in the Ribbon is to be found in Library tab in all the libraries on my SharePoint 2013 site. Are they all SkyDrive Pro folders? Why does "SkyDrive" link point to Documents library on MySite?
I opened Documents library on a "devsp13" site and I uploaded a document about managed metadata.
After that I clicked on the sync button:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
Notice the difference in Tooltip text. Here in this library, documents are synced "using SharePoint Workspace", while MySite documents are just synced. How does it work?
Another thing, when I open a document library or a Team Site, there is a "SYNC" link in upper right corner:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
I turned out that "SYNC" does the same as "Sync documents to computer" button in the Ribbon.
I tried to sync this library and I got two popup windows this time. First one is just like the one I got on MySite, where I could define the folder:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
Another to define a SharePoint library, I want to sync:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
I thought that I already chose the library... Maybe it's one of those "people that bought this, also bought these". I don't know.
I defined folder at "c:\Users\sonja" as the place for my sync folder, both for MySite documents, and for this document library on "devsp13" site. I was wondering if I got the same "SkyDrive Pro" folder also for this document library.
The answer is "No". SharePoint made "SkyDrive Pro" folder for documents on MySite, while the documents from this "devsp13" site library are stored in "SharePoint Libraries".
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
When I open "SharePoint Libraries" folder, I can see a folder and my document about managed metadata:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
Does it mean that Documents library is a special library? What happens if I create another document library on MySite and try to sync it?
I have to try it. You know me...
I added new document library on MySite and tried to sync it to my computer:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
I didn't really get a chance to change the folder on my computer...
Next popup window gives an answer to my question. This "Another Documents" library on MySite is synced to "SharePoint Libraries" folder. The same folder as Documents library on "devsp13" site. It means that Documents library on MySite is special. It is SkyDrive Pro. It is not just a library:
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
I also looked at Library Settings for this special library, and I can see that links "Save list as template" and "Delete this list" are missing. I tried to save the library as template anyway. I just changed the "listedit.aspx" in URL address of library settings page to "/savetmpl.aspx" and it worked. I got message: " Sonja Madsen Operation Completed Successfully". But, I couldn't create new library with this template :-(
I like that I can save documents in "SkyDrive Pro" folder and I can open in Notepad or Photoshop, or some very old version of Office. Well, I prefer the newest version, and I always do my best to get the newest technical preview or what ever you call it version of Office.
Many people don't have that luxury. I've seen a lot organizations having new and current edition of SharePoint, while working with older versions of Windows and Office.
The important question here is: "Does it work without Office?". Does it work without Office 2013? Does it work with Office 2010 or SharePoint Workspace 2010? Knowing version number is never enough with Office, does it have to be Pro or Plus or...
I don't know.
What about "using SharePoint Workspace" message? If I look at my Office programs, I can't see SharePoint Workspace". I have Office 2013, and I looked at: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc178954(v=office.15). The message about SharePoint Workspace is "end of life" :o)
![SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive]()
That means that I don't need SharePoint Workspace, but I need Office 2013.
What about SkyDrive Pro, there is no "..workspace..." tooltip there?
I have yet another question. Can I sync a SharePoint 2013 document library to my real "SkyDrive" folder?
Can I sync a SharePoint 2013 document library to iPad?
I have even more important question, what happens when I start my computer and I'm online but do not have access to MySite or my devsp13 site? Do I loose a second or minute in start up while these two new document folders try to sync with non accessible sites?
And probably the most fundamental question: What is the difference between "SkyDrive Pro" and "SharePoint documents sync to computer"? I can see different folders and icons. What else?
I'll try to find out.
Related Content
MySite
SharePoint 2013 Publishing
Other Things I Wrote
Content Search, Metadata Driven Navigation, and Display Templates
SharePoint 2013 Apps
SharePoint 2013 Mobile
Napa Adventures with SharePoint 2013
SharePoint 2013 and Linkedin
Geolocation in SharePoint 2013
Cross-Site Publishing
This "SkyDrive" link is NOT a link to your SkyDrive folder.
How it works
There is a "SkyDrive" link in upper right corner in SharePoint 2013:
It opens a document library on MySite. I can also open that library, if I click on Site Contents, and click on Documents on MySite. There is a welcome text: "Welcome to your SkyDrive Pro, the place to store, sync, and share your work."
Oh, it's SkyDrive Pro, a business version of SkyDrive, based on SharePoint. SharePoint is the "sky". It takes over the role of sky here.
The document library is empty.
I clicked on "Sync library to computer" button in the Ribbon:
I got a popup window to define the folder on my computer:
Nice! I got a SkyDrive folder on my computer :-) No need for "sky", or should I call it "cloud", to work with SharePoint 2013 SkyDrive.
I copied a document "Text.docx" from another folder into my new "SkyDrive" folder:
Few seconds after, I can see the document in the Documents library on MySite:
Document is called "Text.docx". It is stored in a SharePoint library. It is in the "sky". I can click on "..." next to the document and get to edit, follow, share the document..
The document "Text.docx" is also stored in the folder on my computer. The folder has a nice icon with clouds, and it's called "SkyDrive Pro":
The definition of word "sky" is: "everything that lies a certain distance above the surface of Earth". "Sky" is nice and blue, for me. No clouds in that picture. Clouds contain rain or snow. That must be the reason why is the sky presented with a "cloud". I thought that only farmers liked clouds and rain.
Sky is cloudy up north though. SharePoint product group is based in Redmond near Seattle. I have a postcard from Seattle with 4 smaller photos of gray sky with clouds, with Space Needle and city skyline. 4 almost the same photos. On first of the 4 photos, there is text: "Summer in Seattle", on the second photo: "Winter in Seattle", on third: "Spring in Seattle"...
I don't think that is the reason why "sky" is presented with "cloud" icon. ;-)
"SkyDrive Pro" is just a folder. I can open and edit the documents in this folder. The changes that I make to the documents in this folder are synced back, or should I say "up" to SharePoint. I like that.
What did happen here? I synced the document library on MySite to a folder on my computer. I used a "Sync library to computer" button in the Ribbon. This "Sync library to computer" button in the Ribbon is to be found in Library tab in all the libraries on my SharePoint 2013 site. Are they all SkyDrive Pro folders? Why does "SkyDrive" link point to Documents library on MySite?
I opened Documents library on a "devsp13" site and I uploaded a document about managed metadata.
After that I clicked on the sync button:
Notice the difference in Tooltip text. Here in this library, documents are synced "using SharePoint Workspace", while MySite documents are just synced. How does it work?
Another thing, when I open a document library or a Team Site, there is a "SYNC" link in upper right corner:
I turned out that "SYNC" does the same as "Sync documents to computer" button in the Ribbon.
I tried to sync this library and I got two popup windows this time. First one is just like the one I got on MySite, where I could define the folder:
Another to define a SharePoint library, I want to sync:
I thought that I already chose the library... Maybe it's one of those "people that bought this, also bought these". I don't know.
I defined folder at "c:\Users\sonja" as the place for my sync folder, both for MySite documents, and for this document library on "devsp13" site. I was wondering if I got the same "SkyDrive Pro" folder also for this document library.
The answer is "No". SharePoint made "SkyDrive Pro" folder for documents on MySite, while the documents from this "devsp13" site library are stored in "SharePoint Libraries".
When I open "SharePoint Libraries" folder, I can see a folder and my document about managed metadata:
Does it mean that Documents library is a special library? What happens if I create another document library on MySite and try to sync it?
I have to try it. You know me...
I added new document library on MySite and tried to sync it to my computer:
I didn't really get a chance to change the folder on my computer...
Next popup window gives an answer to my question. This "Another Documents" library on MySite is synced to "SharePoint Libraries" folder. The same folder as Documents library on "devsp13" site. It means that Documents library on MySite is special. It is SkyDrive Pro. It is not just a library:
I also looked at Library Settings for this special library, and I can see that links "Save list as template" and "Delete this list" are missing. I tried to save the library as template anyway. I just changed the "listedit.aspx" in URL address of library settings page to "/savetmpl.aspx" and it worked. I got message: " Sonja Madsen Operation Completed Successfully". But, I couldn't create new library with this template :-(
I like that I can save documents in "SkyDrive Pro" folder and I can open in Notepad or Photoshop, or some very old version of Office. Well, I prefer the newest version, and I always do my best to get the newest technical preview or what ever you call it version of Office.
Many people don't have that luxury. I've seen a lot organizations having new and current edition of SharePoint, while working with older versions of Windows and Office.
The important question here is: "Does it work without Office?". Does it work without Office 2013? Does it work with Office 2010 or SharePoint Workspace 2010? Knowing version number is never enough with Office, does it have to be Pro or Plus or...
I don't know.
What about "using SharePoint Workspace" message? If I look at my Office programs, I can't see SharePoint Workspace". I have Office 2013, and I looked at: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc178954(v=office.15). The message about SharePoint Workspace is "end of life" :o)
That means that I don't need SharePoint Workspace, but I need Office 2013.
What about SkyDrive Pro, there is no "..workspace..." tooltip there?
I have yet another question. Can I sync a SharePoint 2013 document library to my real "SkyDrive" folder?
Can I sync a SharePoint 2013 document library to iPad?
I have even more important question, what happens when I start my computer and I'm online but do not have access to MySite or my devsp13 site? Do I loose a second or minute in start up while these two new document folders try to sync with non accessible sites?
And probably the most fundamental question: What is the difference between "SkyDrive Pro" and "SharePoint documents sync to computer"? I can see different folders and icons. What else?
I'll try to find out.
Related Content
MySite
SharePoint 2013 Publishing
Other Things I Wrote
Content Search, Metadata Driven Navigation, and Display Templates
SharePoint 2013 Apps
SharePoint 2013 Mobile
Napa Adventures with SharePoint 2013
SharePoint 2013 and Linkedin
Geolocation in SharePoint 2013
Cross-Site Publishing