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How to Automate Content Updates Using OneDrive or Google Drive

Completion Time: 20–30 minutes

This guide walks you through automating content updates in Wallboard by linking a cloud storage service, such as Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive, to Wallboard's file manager.

  • Once files are synced into the cloud folder in Wallboard's file manager, that folder can be added directly to a playlist.
  • This allows the playlist to play any files that are automatically synced to the folder from the cloud storage.
  • Folders, like media assets, can be dragged into the playlist timeline panel from the asset panel in the playlist editor, ensuring seamless and automatic content updates.

Interactive Tutorial​

Instructions​

Add a Cloud Credential​

  • Click Settings in the navigation bar.
  • In the expanded submenus, click Cloud Credentials.

Select the Appropriate Cloud Service Tab​

  • At the top of the Cloud Credentials page, select either Microsoft, Google, or Other based on the cloud service you plan to connect.

Add a New Cloud Credential​

  • Click the + button in the selected tab.
  • In the Add Cloud Credential popup:
    • Name: Enter a descriptive name for the credential (e.g., “Marketing OneDrive”).
    • Scope: For this guide, select Microsoft OneDrive.
    • Tenant Type: Choose Personal Account for personal OneDrive folders or Work and School Account for SharePoint folders.
  • Click Sign in with Microsoft (or Sign in with Google, depending on the service).
  • Follow the prompts to authenticate and authorize Wallboard access to your cloud storage.

Open the Playlist Editor​

  • Navigate to the Contents section on the Wallboard dashboard.
  • Click the + button, select Create Playlist, and name your playlist.
  • Click Create and Open to enter the Playlist Editor.

Access the File Manager​

  • In the Playlist Editor, click the file icon to the left of the + button in the asset panel. This will open the file manager.

Connect a Cloud Folder​

  • Click the + button in the File Manager.
  • Select Connect Microsoft OneDrive folder (or Connect Google Drive folder, depending on your service).

In the Connect Microsoft OneDrive Folder Popup​

  • Select the appropriate cloud credential from the Cloud Credential dropdown.
  • Click Continue.

Configure the Connection Settings​

  • On the right side, browse the tree view to find and select the specific folder you want to sync.

    • Expanding Folders: To expand and view subfolders, click the arrow icon located on the right side of the folder row.
    • (Optional) If using SharePoint, choose the Site and Drive first before selecting folders.
    • Hover over a folder row to display a checkbox on the left side, then click the checkbox to select the folder.

  • On the left side, configure the following options:

    • File Change Tracking Mode:
      • Select Active Sync to track all file operations, including additions, deletions, and modifications.
    • File Type:
      • Check all relevant file types. Recommended: Image, Video, PDF, Excel, Document, and Presentation.

  • Click Connect to add the folder to Wallboard.

Verify the Cloud Folder Sync​

Open the Cloud Folder in Wallboard​

  • Once the folder is added, click into it in the file manager.
  • Wait a moment for the files to sync.
  • Verify that the files from your cloud storage are uploaded into the folder.

Test Automatic Updates​

  • Add a new image or video file to the linked cloud folder from your computer.
  • From the file manager, wait a moment and click into the folder.
  • Confirm that the new file appears in the folder.

Add the Cloud Folder to the Playlist​

Select Media in the Navigation Bar within Playlists​

  • In the Playlist Editor, ensure the Media option is selected in the left-side panel.
  • This will display all folders and media assets from the file manager in the center panel (asset panel) of the playlist editor.

Drag the Cloud Folder into the Timeline Panel​

  • Locate the synced cloud folder in the asset panel.
  • Drag the folder from the asset panel into the timeline panel.
  • The playlist will now display any files added to the cloud folder automatically.

Configure the Folder’s Playback Settings​

Set Item Shuffle Mode​

  • In the Playlist Editor, click the Playback Settings (gear icon) located above the folder in the timeline panel.
  • Set the Item Shuffle Mode dropdown to Serial or Balanced.

Set Played Media Types​

  • In the Played Media Types dropdown, select the media types you want to display from the folder.

Set Playback Order​

  • Set the Ordering Mode to Alphabetical or Random.
  • Press Save to apply your settings.

Set Dwell Time for Each Asset​

  • In the timeline, double-click the Duration Field above each asset to adjust how long it should display (e.g., 10 seconds).

Save and Publish​

Save the Playlist​

  • Click the Save icon (floppy disk) to confirm your changes.

Publish the Playlist​

  • Assign the playlist to a screen or schedule it for deployment using Wallboard’s scheduling tools.

Downloadable Content​

Downloadable content!

Project files

Troubleshooting​

Missing files in the synced folder
  • Ensure all relevant file types are selected in the File Type dropdown when adding your cloud folder.
Folder not appearing in the tree view during folder selection
  • Verify that the correct Tenant Type was selected when adding the cloud credential.
  • Try switching between Personal Account and Work or School Account.
  • If neither option works, consider using Service Principal.
Cloud credential not appearing in the setup popup
  • Ensure the correct Scope was selected when adding the cloud credential (e.g., Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive).
  • Double-check that the cloud credential was added correctly.
SUPPORT

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at support@wallboard.info. Happy editing!