Upload Documents to OneDrive

Summary

Describes the two most common ways to add documents to OneDrive: uploading through a web browser and using the OneDrive sync client on a Mac or Windows computer. Covers upload size limits, installing the sync client, folder backup, and file sync limitations. Applies to Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff with a Bowdoin account.

Body

Questions

  • How do I upload documents to OneDrive?
  • How do I add files to OneDrive from a web browser?
  • How do I upload a whole folder?
  • What is the largest file I can upload to OneDrive?
  • Why won't some of my files upload to OneDrive?
  • Should I upload in a browser or use the sync client?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff using OneDrive with a Bowdoin account, uploading through a web browser on any computer.

  • You need a browser and your Bowdoin sign-in. Nothing has to be installed.
  • Folder uploads work in Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. Individual files can be uploaded in any browser.
  • If you want your files to appear in File Explorer or Finder instead of a browser, see Set Up the OneDrive Sync Client in the Related Articles section.

Resolution

Upload files or folders in a browser

  1. Go to https://office365.bowdoin.edu, sign in with your Bowdoin account, and open OneDrive.
  2. Browse to the folder where the files should go, or select Add new > Folder to make one.
  3. Drag the files or folders from your computer into the browser window. You can also select Add new > Files upload or Folder upload.
  4. Wait for the upload to finish. The page refreshes once the items have been added.

Wait until the page refreshes before navigating away. Navigating away too soon can leave files uploaded incompletely or incorrectly. If the page never refreshes, there could be an error in the upload; check for the documents by opening OneDrive in a different web browser. Do not leave a public or shared computer without confirming the files uploaded, because otherwise the files may not be recoverable.

A single file can be up to 250 GB. For path length, file naming, and item count limits, see Best Practices and Limitations in Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive in the Related Articles section.

When to use the sync client instead

A browser upload is the right choice for a handful of files, on a computer that is not yours, or when you do not want anything installed. Use the OneDrive sync client instead when you are moving a large amount of content, when you want your OneDrive files available in File Explorer or Finder, or when you need to work offline. A synced folder also resumes on its own after an interruption, which a browser upload does not.

To install and sign in to the sync client, see Set Up the OneDrive Sync Client in the Related Articles section. To back up your Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to OneDrive automatically, see Turn On Microsoft OneDrive Folder Backup.

If the files belong to your department rather than to you, they should go into a Microsoft Teams channel instead of your OneDrive. See Move Files into a Microsoft Teams Channel.

If an upload does not finish

  • It stopped part way through. A browser upload runs only while the tab is open and the computer is awake. A sleeping laptop, a VPN reconnect, or switching networks will end it. Keep the computer awake and on one network, and leave the tab open until the page refreshes.
  • Nothing happened when you dragged a folder in. Folder uploads are supported in Edge, Chrome, and Firefox, but not in Safari. Use one of those browsers, or select Add new > Folder upload.
  • Some files arrived and some did not. A file is usually skipped because of its name. See Troubleshoot Microsoft OneDrive Sync Errors for the characters and reserved names that are not allowed, and Fix Files or Folders That Will Not Sync or Upload to OneDrive from a Mac for path length.
  • It is a large batch. Split it into several smaller uploads, or use the sync client, so a failure costs you less.

Additional Help

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

Details

Details

Article ID: 41072
Created
Thu 10/19/17 8:36 PM
Modified
Tue 9/8/26 9:17 AM

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