Using iCloud offline in unplanned meeting

Go to the Finder sidebar and open the Documents folder in the iCloud Drive section. If Optimize Mac Storage is off (and even if it is on if you have enough space), those files are both in iCloud and on your Mac.

There aren't 2 Documents folders -- the one folder in the Finder, even though it is in the iCloud Drive section, is also how you access the local copy.

If you doubt that, turn off wi-fi on your Mac, go to that folder and open a file.

If you don't turn on Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud (in the sidebar) > Optimize Mac Storage then you should always have a local copy of your documents.

You access them from the iCloud Drive section of the Finder Sidebar or via Finder "Go" menu.

I didn't say to turn iCloud off, I said to turn off "Optimize Mac Storage" (if it is currently turned on).

Optimize Mac Storage doesn't affect iCloud syncing.

When Optimize Mac Storage is off (and iCloud Drive is on, including the Desktop & Documents option), there is always a local copy on your Mac. And your Mac automatically syncs with iCloud as long as you have an internet connection.

When Optimize Mac Storage is on, there may or may not be a local copy on your Mac deepening on the space available on your Mac.

If that isn't clear (and it can be confusing) please reply again.

Also, if you go to the Finder View menu > Show View Options and click iCloud Status, and then go to your iCloud Drive synced folders there will be a column in Finder that shows the sync status. Those that are synced and have a local copy will have a cloud icon in that column. Hover the cursor over that cloud icon for any specific file and it will display "Downloaded."

Again, confusing? To me the cloud seems like it means it's in the cloud (which it is), but in fact the icon also means that it's on your Mac (i.e., Downloaded).

rswc90 wrote:

... Do I create a folder under "User > MBA" and direct things there?

Only create a folder in your Home folder if you want some things to never sync with iCloud (i.e., local copy only)