spotlight not finding things in Dropbox folder, "reindexing" not working

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Level 1

5 points

spotlight not finding things in Dropbox folder, "reindexing" not working

I'm using 10.10.1 on a MacBook Air.

For the last several weeks (or more?), Spotlight has not returned results for documents in my Dropbox folder, which is where I keep my research notes. I tried following the "reindexing" directions, choosing the "privacy" tab in Spotlight preferences, adding Dropbox, and then deleting, but this made no difference. I can only locate specific notes now by opening and searching the individual files.

What should I do?

iPhone 4S, iOS 7.1.2, Also Macbook Air 10.10.1

Posted on Jan 15, 2015 8:55 AM

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Answer 1

idlerat Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 15, 2015 9:16 AM in response to idlerat

I also tried copying one of the most important folders to my desktop, to see if I could search it there, but it still doesn't seem to be indexed - argh.

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Answer 2

idlerat Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 15, 2015 9:19 AM in response to idlerat

Actually, correction: it does return a few results, but only older ones. It's only the more recent edits that don't seem to have been indexed.

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

685,251 points

Jan 15, 2015 11:42 AM in response to idlerat

See if you can find the file using this program

EasyFind – Spotlight Replacement

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Answer 4

idlerat Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 15, 2015 5:13 PM in response to Eric Root

I tried installing a second app (Found) but (a) didn't work (same files weren't indexed) and (b) should have to do that

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Answer 5

idlerat Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 15, 2015 5:13 PM in response to idlerat

I mean, *shouldn't* have to do that, of course.

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jan 15, 2015 8:11 PM in response to idlerat

Back up all data before proceeding.

Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

/.Spotlight-V100

Right-click or control-click the highlighted line and select

Services ▹ Open

from the contextual menu. A folder should open with a subfolder selected. Move the subfolder to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password. Restart the computer. If you try to search now from the magnifying-glass icon in the top right corner of the display, there should be an indication that indexing is in progress.

You can't see the folder in the Trash because it's invisible. The next time you empty the Trash, it should be deleted.

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Answer 7

idlerat Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 22, 2015 9:47 AM in response to Linc Davis

Thank you, Linc, but (unfortunately) this hasn't worked for me yet. It just seems to remove any prior indexing. I don't see anything happen when I search. When I go to Spotlight in Systems preferences and add/delete it from "privacy" again, it goes back to showing me the one result I had before. I can't even seem to search within an MS word doc accurately now.

I think I have AppleCare. Going to give them a call. Thanks again,

Jane

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Answer 8

rootdr

Level 1

60 points

Mar 15, 2015 11:59 AM in response to idlerat

I have the same problem. I don't know if it's a permissions issue or not, but DropBox is most likely the culprit and doubt if Apple can help.

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Answer 9

Jun 10, 2015 8:01 AM in response to rootdr

I think that this is the problem:

https://github.com/bdkjones/fseventsbug/wiki/realpath()-And-FSEvents

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