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Local Files (Kahua File Manager Synchronization)

Local Files combines the power of Kahua’s File Management System with the convenience of working with folders and files on your computer. When you work locally, Kahua will synchronize your work when you close saved files.


When you use Local Files, all folders and files will be synchronized to your user folder on your device. Typically, the path to this folder is C:\users\[username]\Kahua. This path cannot be changed. If you attempt to move this folder, Kahua will simply rewrite it again to this location on your device.


Select a link to learn more:

What You Need to Know

Selecting Folders and Files to Sync

Using One-Click File Open to Sync Files

Accessing Files on Your Computer

Pausing Local Files

Resetting Local Files



What You Need to Know

We are constantly making updates and improvements to this service. A few actions you can take to make it work more effectively include:

  1. We RECOMMEND you leave Kahua running in the background when working with files locally. With Kahua running, we can better assess how to handle actions you take on your device. REMEMBER to login regularly to get the latest file updates.
  2. We RECOMMEND you close files when you are done working with them. Often Kahua cannot access files while they are open and so others cannot see your changes until you save AND close the file.
  3. We RECOMMEND you use Kahua File Manager when deleting or moving large numbers of folders and files. Using Kahua File Manager for these types of actions will reduce the number of confirmations, as well as, reduce issues related to permission checks.
  4. DO NOT delete files locally to attempt to stop syncing them. Instead, go to My Settings to deselect folders and files you no longer want to sync. Folders and files should only be deleted locally if you intend to delete them from Kahua as well.

Selecting Folders and Files to Sync

To select folders and files to sync to your device:

  1. Select your User Profile
  2. Go to My Settings > Local Files    
    Select Get Started if you have not already enabled Local Files
  3. Use the Project Selector to choose the project to sync its folders and files
  4. Navigate the folder structure to select folders and files to include
    If you select a folder, all its contents will be automatically selected. 

Note: Syncing a large amount of data can take several minutes to a few hours depending on your connection speed. You will need to leave Kahua running to ensure a complete sync.



Using  One-Click File Open to Sync Files

In Kahua File Manager, when you select Open to open or edit a file, Local Files is automatically enabled, the selected file is synchronized to your device, and is opened automatically (assuming you have software to support opening the file). The file will continue to be synced using Local Files after you close it. Any changes you save will be automatically uploaded to Kahua and the file will be available when you are offline. If you want to remove the file from syncing to your device, follow the steps for Selecting Folders and Files to Sync to Your Device and unselect the file.



Accessing Files on Your Computer

Your folders and files are located on your device at C:\users\your username\Kahua-[CompanyName]. 


To more easily access your folders and files, we recommend you either Pin to Start or Pin to Quick Access in Windows File Explorer. You can open File Explorer quickly to this location by clicking the link at the top right corner of the Local Files settings page.


Pausing Local Files

If you have a poor connection or have other data intensive processes running on your device, you might want to Pause Local Files temporarily:

  1. Select your User Profile
  2. Go to My Settings > Local Files
  3. Select Pause

You can resume syncing at any time by selecting Resume.


Resetting Local Files

If you find it necessary to start over syncing folders and files, you can Reset. A Reset will REMOVE ALL folders and files from your device.  The files will remain in File Manager for the Kahua project and can continue to be accessed directly in the product.

To Reset Local Files:

  1. Select your User Profile
  2. Go to My Settings > Local Files
  3. Select Reset
  4. Confirm you want to Reset Local 

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