How to View OneDrive Folder Size When Files Are Online-Only on Mac
Question details
The user needs to view both the total folder size and the local disk space used by a OneDrive folder on macOS, but Finder fails to calculate this due to files being stored as online-only.
- Product
- OneDrive for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Monterey
- Scenario
- Attempting to monitor disk space usage and calculate the total size of synchronized OneDrive folders while utilizing the Files On-Demand feature.
- Observed behavior
- macOS Finder does not include cloud-only files in its local size calculations. The folder size only updates correctly in Finder when the user explicitly right-clicks and selects "Always Keep on This Device."
Verify that your macOS and OneDrive application are fully updated, and confirm that the Files On-Demand feature is currently enabled in your OneDrive preferences.
View Total File Size via the OneDrive Web Interface
Since macOS Finder ignores cloud-only files in local folder calculations, checking the OneDrive web interface is the fastest and most accurate way to see the true total size of your files without downloading them.
Cloud-only files act as placeholders on your Mac and consume practically zero bytes of local storage. To see how much data you actually have stored in the cloud, bypass Finder entirely and use the web portal.
Open your preferred web browser, navigate to the official OneDrive website, and log in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Navigate through your directory to find the specific folder whose total size you want to calculate.
Right-click the folder and select 'Details' or 'Properties' from the context menu. The details pane on the right side of the screen will display the accurate, total cloud size of the folder.
Temporarily Download Files to Calculate Size in Finder
Force macOS Finder to calculate the exact folder size by downloading all files locally using the 'Always Keep on This Device' option.
Check Individual File Sizes with 'Get Info'
If you only need to check a few specific files rather than a massive directory, you can inspect their individual properties directly within Finder.
Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
While macOS Finder may struggle to accurately report online-only OneDrive folder sizes, your document workflow doesn't have to suffer. WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office that flawlessly handles your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files without consuming massive amounts of local Mac disk space.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package tailored for macOS.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to drag and drop WPS Office into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your cloud files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your synced OneDrive documents. Enjoy seamless editing and auto-saving back to the cloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Finder show zero bytes for my OneDrive folder on macOS?
When the Files On-Demand feature is active, your files are stored as cloud-only placeholders to save space. Since they do not consume physical storage on your hard drive, macOS Finder accurately reports their local disk usage as zero bytes, ignoring their actual cloud size.
What is the difference between 'Size' and 'Size on disk' for OneDrive files?
The 'Size' refers to the actual total size of the file data stored in the OneDrive cloud. 'Size on disk' represents the physical storage space that the file is currently taking up on your Mac's local hard drive.
Does double-clicking an online-only file update its folder size in Finder?
While double-clicking a file downloads it into a hidden cache so the application can open it, macOS Finder's folder size calculation often does not immediately update. Explicitly selecting 'Always Keep on This Device' forces Finder to recognize and calculate the newly downloaded local data.
How can I regain my local Mac disk space after checking a folder's size?
If you downloaded files locally to check their size, you can instantly regain that storage space. Right-click the downloaded files or folder in Finder and select 'Free Up Space' from the context menu to convert them back into online-only placeholders.
