Getting files from a remote server

Use the Get command to copy files from the remote site to your local site. You can use the Files panel or the Document window to get files.

Dreamweaver creates a log of file activity during the transfer. To view or save this log, see Managing file transfers.

Dreamweaver also records all FTP file transfer activity. If an error occurs when you are transferring a file using FTP, the Site FTP log can help you determine the problem.

To get files from a remote server using the Files panel:

1. In the Files panel (Window > Files), select the desired files to download.

   Usually you select these files in the Remote view, but you can select the corresponding files in the Local view if you prefer. If the Remote view is active, then Dreamweaver copies the selected files to the local site; if the Local view is active, then Dreamweaver copies the remote versions of the selected local files to the local site.

   NOTE

   To get only those files for which the remote version is more recent than the local version, use the Synchronize command (see Synchronizing the files on your local and remote sites).

2. Do one of the following to get the file:
   • Click the Get button in the Files panel toolbar.
   • Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) the file in the Files panel, then select Get from the context menu.

   The Dependent files dialog box appears.

3. To download dependent files, click Yes; to skip them, click No.

   NOTE

   If you already have local copies of the dependent files, click No.

   Dreamweaver downloads the selected files, as follows:

   • If you’re using the Check In/Check Out system, getting a file results in a read-only local copy of the file; the file remains available on the remote site or testing server for other team members to check out (see Checking in and checking out files).
   • If you’re not using the Check In/Check Out system, getting a file transfers a copy that has both read and write privileges.

   NOTE

   If you’re working in a collaborative environment--that is, if others are working on the same files--you should not disable Enable File Check In and Check Out. If other people are using the Check In/Check Out system with the site, you should use that system as well.

To stop the file transfer at any time, click the Cancel button in the status dialog box. The transfer may not stop immediately.

To get a file from a remote server using the Document window:

1. Make sure the document is active in the Document window.
2. Do one of the following to get the file:
   • Select Site > Get.
   • Click the File Management icon in the Document window toolbar, then select Get from the pop-up menu.

     NOTE

     If the current file is not part of the current site in the Files panel, Dreamweaver attempts to determine which locally defined site the current file belongs to. If the current file belongs to only one local site, Dreamweaver opens that site, then performs the Get operation.

To display the FTP log:

• Click the Options menu in the upper-right corner of the Files panel, then select View > Site FTP Log.

  

Related topics

• About the Check In/Check Out system
• About background file transfers
• Putting files on a remote server