OneDrive and SharePoint Icons – What Do They Mean?

February 3, 2023

This article is a quick visual guide for understanding what OneDrive and SharePoint icons mean.
After looking at these icons, if you need to troubleshoot OneDrive link to SharePoint, contact you I.T. Team.

If your company is in need of an I.T. Team, contact us!

Click on one of the topics below to view the information.

OneDrive Icons at bottom right corner of screen (system tray)
The following Cloud Icons will be located in the system tray at the bottom right corner of the screen.
If the Cloud Icon is not visible, click the arrow to reveal hidden icons.
Blue Cloud
OneDrive is up to date and all file or folder changes have been synced.
No user action is required.
Gray Cloud
OneDrive setup is not complete or the user is not currently signed in.
To sign in, the user can click the icon and follow the prompts or can reach out to your I.T. Team for assistance.
Red Circle with White Line
The user account is blocked.
IF YOU SEE THIS ICON, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR I.T. TEAM.
Gray Circle with White Pause Symbol
The user’s files are not currently syncing.
To resume syncing, click the icon, select More, then select Resume Syncing or reach out to your I.T. Team for assistance.
Red Circle with White X
The file or folder cannot be synced.
IF YOU SEE THIS ICON, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR I.T. TEAM.
White Circle with Two Blue Circular Arrows

The file or folder sync is in progress.
No user action is required.
Yellow Warning Triangle on Cloud

The user’s account needs attention.
IF YOU SEE THIS ICON, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR I.T. TEAM.
OneDrive Icons in File Explorer
The following Status Icons are located when viewing SharePoint and OneDrive files from inside File Explorer.

Blue Cloud Outline

The file or folder is only available online and the user must be connected to the Internet to open it.
No user action required, unless unable to connect to the Internet, then contact your I.T. Team.
Green Circle Outline with Green Check

The file or folder has been downloaded and is available, even when offline.
No user action required.
Green Circle with White Check

The file or folder is always available, even when offline.
No user action required.
Two Blue Arrows

The file or folder sync is in progress.
No user action required.
Red Circle with White X

The file or folder cannot be synced.
IF YOU SEE THIS ICON, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR I.T. TEAM.
Lock

The file or folder has settings that prevent it from syncing.
No user action required, unless you are needing the file or folder to sync, then contact your I.T. Team.
Blue Cloud and Gray Person Outline

The file or folder has been shared with other people.
No user action required, unless you are needing to remove access, then contact your I.T. Team.