Share and collaborate
Attachments
How images, PDFs, canvases and other files sync in a shared folder, which plans include them, and what to do when one will not sync.
Anything in a shared folder that is not a Markdown note is an attachment to Nectenda: images, PDFs, audio, and also .canvas files. Attachments are encrypted like notes, and sync on the paid plans. On the Free plan, notes sync and attachments stay on the device that has them.
How they sync
A note merges keystroke by keystroke. An attachment does not: it is sent whole, and the newest version replaces the old one. If two people change the same attachment at the same time, the version that loses is kept beside it as a copy named … (conflicted copy …), so nothing is lost. Canvas files work this way too, which is why two people editing one canvas at once get two files rather than a merged canvas.
Keep attachments inside the shared folder
By default, Obsidian saves a file you drop into a note at the top of your vault — outside the shared folder, where nobody else can see it. The note then shows a broken link for everyone else.
If your vault is set up that way, your organisation's page in the Nectenda settings shows New attachments are saved outside your shared folders under Files that will not sync, in the Plan, storage and devices section. Choose Save attachments beside the note to fix it. You can also change it yourself in Obsidian's Settings → Files and links.
Files a shared note links to that sit outside every shared folder are listed in the same place, with a button to move each one in.
Size and storage
Each plan has a storage allowance and a largest-file size; see Plans, storage and devices. A file over the size limit does not sync, and a notice names it. When storage is full, new uploads wait under Waiting for space until you free some — Manage storage on your organisation's page shows what is taking it up.
On phones
A phone may not download every large attachment, to save space and memory. Where one was skipped, the note shows Download on this device in its place, and your organisation's page lists it under Not downloaded on this device with Try again.