Can I save my Scrivener file to my Network Attached Storage (NAS)?
I’d like to be able to work on a Scrivener project on my laptop and then, later, open it up and update it on my desktop.
Mac Osx 12 and 13.
NAS is a Synology Diskstation 220j
Yes, it’s fine to save Scrivener to a NAS. Just be aware that the NAS may run slower than your computer, so performance may not be as good when working off of a NAS—just keep an eye on it and if you notice problems, try moving the file to local storage while working on it and move it back when you’re done.
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There was a recent post by someone who’d tried it, but in the end gave up, if I remember rightly, as Scrivener expects all files to be immediately available. So have a search and think about it.
Mark
Are you talking about doing a synced connection to your NAS or direct network connection (with SMB or AFP)?
Not sure. What’s the difference? My NAS loads like a hard drive in Finder.
I think the latter, but just to make sure what is the name of the folder you see in Finder?
If it is a synced folder, as in Synology Sync, then you have to be careful to allow the computers time to sync. If a direct network connection then it’s going to be fast enough without special attention. I’m guessing you have a network connection as I am assuming you would know if you setup a sync service.
With a network connection, you should have no problem saving the files of your Scrivener project. But it is important to understand what you have and use it correctly. As @JenT suggests.
To ameliorate my concerns which it is, what does it say in finder if you right mouse click on the server name “share” or “folders” where you will put the files, and pick “Get Info”?
While I have a Synology NAS, to make Scrivener projects available on my iMac, Macbook, iPad, and iPhone, I use Dropbox to sync as it “just works” and is the best technique for synching between iOS/macOS devices. I don’t bother using the NAS but for backups of Scrivener projects (as zip files).
I’ve now decided to move everything back to the local computer’s drive.
How do I move my scrivener documents from the NAS to the local drive?
How did you move them to the NAS? Do the opposite.
Yeah. I don’t remember. 
Okay. Then open your NAS folder in a Finder window and the local directory in another Finder window and then drag the project(s) from one window to the other while holding ⌘ (to move it, otherwise macOS creates a copy / duplicate).
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well that was easy. Thanks
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Thanks for making this distinction! I should have clarified that a direct network connection NAS is unlikely to cause major issues. It’s been a while since I set mine up and wasn’t thinking about this! Any time sync is involved, you increase the likelihood of having issues. It would depend on the particular sync setup and parameters in that case.
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