Evernote Desktop: Same Window, Different Results?

When editing notes on multiple devices, it's not uncommon to experience occasional inconsistencies. This is especially true when working with Evernote, a popular note-taking app. In this article, we'll explore how syncing works within Evernote and what happens when you edit the same note on two different devices without initiating a full sync.

Evernote's Safety Measure: Duplicate Notes

When editing the same note on two different devices (A & B) and a full sync is not initiated before editing the note on device B, a duplicate note may be created. This safety measure helps prevent data loss and allows you to manually review and edit conflicting data. This could arise when a given note is edited in two different locations before a sync has taken place.

The Evernote Database: Local Storage

In Evernote for Mac and Windows, all of your notes are also stored in a local database on your computer's hard drive. Every synced note in your account is stored in Evernote Web. For instance, if you initiate a sync from an Evernote desktop application, any new or updated content will first be uploaded to Evernote Web, and only from there can it be downloaded to your other devices when a subsequent sync is initiated.

How Syncing Works within Evernote

Evernote's service is arranged in such a way that every sync operation goes through Evernote Web. This means that whenever you make changes to a note on one device, those changes are first uploaded to Evernote Web before being synced with your other devices. Understanding this process can help prevent the creation of duplicate notes and ensure seamless data syncing across all your devices.

In conclusion, while editing notes on multiple devices can lead to occasional inconsistencies, Evernote's syncing mechanism is designed to prevent data loss and ensure that your notes are always up-to-date across all your devices. By understanding how syncing works within Evernote, you can take control of your note-taking experience and avoid common issues like duplicate notes.

Evernote desktop same window