We Want to Hear From You! What Do You Want to See on the Community? Tell us here!

Forum Discussion

NickRoss's avatar
NickRoss
Helpful | Level 6
6 years ago
Solved

How can I open files from the website locally?

I have recently read the article From Web To Desktop . This article is 5 years old. Today, I can't find a way to open files locally from the web browser. Is it possible to open files locally (using native applications in Windows, Mac OS or IOS) using Dropbox Url link or through a web platform?

desktop
Organize
sort
sync
Web
  • NickRoss's avatar
    NickRoss
    6 years ago

    Hi again.

     

    I have just installed Google Chrome and there are two (desired) options, "Open by native app" and "Open in finder". Works fine!😀 I was about to think those functions don't exist in Dropbox. I am working with a lots of documents needed to be linked and Dropbox links (URL) are super usseful only if those documents (including images) can be quickly opened and edited. 

     

    I am going to check what is problem with Safari (maybe something releted to OS security settings). 

     

    And yes, I have installed Dropbox application on desktop.

     

    All the best

     

     

4 Replies

Replies have been turned off for this discussion
  • Lusil's avatar
    Lusil
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    6 years ago

    Hey there NickRoss, thanks for checking in with us. 

     

    It looks like you're referring to the Open function from the website, so you can check out this article for some additional info.

     

    Give us another nudge if you have any other questions, cheers!

  • NickRoss's avatar
    NickRoss
    Helpful | Level 6
    6 years ago

    Hi Lusil,

     

    Thank you for your reply. I am using Safari (Mac Os Catalina) and getting only "+connect apps" option under "Open" menu when hovering over the file (pdf file that is downloaded on my computer). Tried many files...

     

  • Lusil's avatar
    Lusil
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    6 years ago

    Hmm. :thinking: In this case:

    • Could this be a shared file by any chance?
    • Do you have the desktop app installed?
    • Is the file visible in your Dropbox folder via Finder/File Explorer?

    Let me know what you find, NickRoss!

  • NickRoss's avatar
    NickRoss
    Helpful | Level 6
    6 years ago

    Hi again.

     

    I have just installed Google Chrome and there are two (desired) options, "Open by native app" and "Open in finder". Works fine!😀 I was about to think those functions don't exist in Dropbox. I am working with a lots of documents needed to be linked and Dropbox links (URL) are super usseful only if those documents (including images) can be quickly opened and edited. 

     

    I am going to check what is problem with Safari (maybe something releted to OS security settings). 

     

    And yes, I have installed Dropbox application on desktop.

     

    All the best

     

     

About Delete, edit, and organize

Solve issues with deleting, editing, and organizing files and folders in your Dropbox account with support from the Dropbox Community.

Need More Support

The Dropbox Community team is active from Monday to Friday. We try to respond to you as soon as we can, usually within 2 hours.

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!