Run a delta import for Dropbox

This feature supports all Google Workspace editions.

After you successfully import data from Dropbox to Workspace, you can move any newly added and updated files or folders to your Workspace account before you exit the import. To transfer the new content, run a delta import in Workspace.

What is a delta import?

A delta import identifies changes to previously imported files or folders, such as changes to permissions, and updates the files or folders in Workspace.

A delta import skips items that have already successfully imported but haven't been updated in your Dropbox account. These items are marked as skipped.

Delta import task Changes in Google Drive
Update changes or additions to Dropbox files and folders since the last import, including:
  • File names
  • File data
  • Modifications to file users or sharing permissions, including additions or removal
  • File metadata
Updates imported to files in Drive
Update permissions or user deletions from sharing lists Updates imported to files in Drive
Update deleted Dropbox files and folders Previously imported files and folders aren't deleted in Drive

What if I edit the list of files I'm importing?

If you change the comma-separated values (CSV) file that lists your imported personal and team folders before you run a delta import in Workspace, the data import tool makes the following updates:

  • Add a user or team folder path to the CSV file—The folder imports to Drive.
  • Delete a user from the CSV file—The folder isn't included in the import, but any files or folders that already imported to Drive remain unchanged.

What happens if I update my identity map?

If you update your identity map before you run a delta import in Workspace, the results depend on whether the identity map includes the user that you updated.

Change Identity map includes user Identity map doesn't include user
Adding user The account's personal folder and user permissions import to Workspace. The account's personal folder and user permissions don't import.
Deleting user The import completes with an error indicating that the identity mapping is missing. Any previously imported user permissions are deleted. Files and folders that already imported don't change.
Updating user Previously imported files don't change, but new files and folders are created in Workspace to match the new mapping. NA

Run a delta import

You must be signed in as a super administrator for this task.

Important: If you exited a previous data import and ran a new import for the same data set, running a delta import might create duplicate files in Workspace.

  1. In the Google Admin console, go to Menu and then Data and then Data import & export and then Data import.

    You must be signed in as a super administrator for this task.

  2. For Dropbox, click Import to open your existing import.

    When the migration is complete, you get an email with migration statistics. Any reports are attached.


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