Spotlight Search Doesn't Link to Files in Dropbox in macOS 13 Ventura

[dsnidey]

After upgrading to macOS Ventura, I was prompted to upgrade to "Dropbox for macOS 12". I proceeded with that, it moved my Dropbox folder to ~/Library/CloudStorage and confirmed all was successful. Now when using Spotlight to search (I often type something like 'drawings folder' to open a folder called Drawings) the results in Spotlight show the Dropbox app icon beside the name of the item I want (rather than a Finder icon for folder or file). Hitting Enter or clicking on the result switches to Finder and does nothing, or sometimes will open the Applications folder and show the Dropbox app. It's not linking me to the actual file in ~/Library/CloudStorage. 

I have done the following and the problem is not solved:

• Restarted
• Ensured all files are available for offline access
• Rebuilt the spotlight index
• Unlinked Dropbox from this Mac, did a complete clean install of dropbox, performed the upgrade to v159.4.5870 and synced just one folder to begin

Nothing works. Any suggestions??

[lucianmarin77]

Its very annoying, for me too.

But as ive searched this issue, is mainly because of the apple policy . that changes of location...

I suspect they want their icloud service to be more popular and to decrease the interest for the main competitors

[theV0ID]

@lucianmarin77 If it's Apple's fault, then why Seafile is not affected?

[r2xman]

I have been dealing with this issue for a while. What works for me is: 

1. Updated to latest version of Dropbox (v166.4.2920). 

2. Allowed move of Dropbox folder to new location (~/Library/CloudStorage).

3. Made all files available offline. 

4. Removed the CloudStorage folder from Spotlight Indexing (preferences → Siri & Spotlight → Spotlight Privacy... → drag CloudStorage folder into the Privacy box). 

5. do NOT reindex the CloudStorage folder. 

I am able to search for Dropbox files and folders with Spotlight, and open the searched items from within Spotlight. 

I traditionally have everything available offline, but I just did a test and made one folder online-only, and thus far Spotlight is working as expected for that folder and its contents. 

This is on a MBP 2018 with Ventura 13.1. 

[DrDri1l]

I can confirm that ironically adding the "Username/Library/CloudStorage''' folder to the Spotlight Privacy list fixes the problem. I am on Dropbox v166.4.2920 and Ventura 13.1 (22C65).

[TilmanM]

Thank you very much! It really fixed the problem!

[minpi]

Great news. Could you confirm please, that CMD+Click opens files direct from Spotlight in place? (in other words - opens Finder and shows where exactly this file is saved?) 

[kohji]

@minpi I did the trick, and it (opening the file from the Spotlight results) works flawlessly, except CMD+Click and CMD+return (Show file in Finder) still won't work as it should... CMD+Click and CMD+return for files and folders outside the Dropbox folder still works, of course.

[Krisztián K.]

Thanks, works fine! For now...

👍

[minpi]

Thank you for letting me know. This is a reason, why I wont be able to update..I use this function each day and it works on an old version perfectly...

[kohji]

@minpi me too - this is the very feature I do miss (Alfred does it, though).