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Dropbox Basic: Work Outside the Box
If you work with more than one person, you more than likely have needed to share a document or file to work simultaneously or receive feedback. With your Dropbox Basic account, you collaborate with friends and family and work outside of the box. Even if they do not have an account, you can still collaborate with them! Dropbox has made it easy to share files with friends and collaborate on projects. Share files with friends and family I recently learned that you can share files from Dropbox with friends or family that do not have an account. When you share a file or folder using Dropbox, the recipient receives an email with a link to the file or folder. The recipient does not need a Dropbox account to view or edit it though. Just this past week, I shared a Paper document with my sorority sister, and she was able to view and edit the file without any issue. On the file was a to-do list for the both of us and we worked together on the document. Learn more about how to add to-do list to your paper document. You can also control whether people can edit or view your files and folders when you share them and even after you share them. Edits and comments that’s made to a shared file or folder are updated live for everyone they’ve been shared with. This allows for any changes to projects to be implemented right away and ensures everyone is on the same page. Ways to Collaborate Sharing files is usually top priority when working with others. With Dropbox apps and integrations, sharing, syncing and collaboration is made easy. Whether you are sharing a school project, presentation, bachelor trip details, or planning your 30th birthday party, it is likely that you will pass the file along to someone else for their input. As sad as this may seem, Summer vacation for students and teachers will be ending in about 1 month. The time will come during the school year where you will have to participate in the good ol’ school project. The conversation of how you will collaborate to ensure everyone is working together always comes up, and you can suggest using Dropbox. With your Dropbox account, you can collaborate with your school project team members that do not have a Dropbox account. You can use word processing applications such as G-Suite and Microsoft Office Online. Learn more about how to use these integrations. This will allow for an automatic sync after each team member contributes to the project. Your Dropbox account allows you to collaborate with multiple team members from multiple locations at one time. It’s a big year for celebrating! Gathering in large groups has finally become a norm since 2020. People have planned large parties and events to celebrate weddings and birthdays. To do this, you will likely collaborate with friends and family virtually. Don’t forget that you can use Dropbox Paper to create a guest-list, or a to-do list where you can tag the other party hosts. You can even create the invites with Dropbox’s Canva integration. The beauty of using your Dropbox account for tasks like this is that you can use 3 different applications and all users can access files in one place. Things to know when collaborating When collaborating on a file, Dropbox has features that allows the file to be shared and protected when multiple people are editing. Dropbox has collaboration tools for sharing work, and guards old documents by locking the file or creating a conflicted copy. Here are some tips and tricks you can use to collaborate. Create link: Create a link with Dropbox that allows you to easily share the files with friends and teammates. To create a link: Open the Dropbox folder in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). Right-click or command-click the file or folder you'd like to share. Click Share…. If a link hasn't been created, click Create link. The link is copied to your clipboard. Create a to-do list: When saving, sharing and collaborating on files and folders, you can add a checkbox that becomes tasks for the people you are working with. When you or someone else with permission click a checkbox, the line of text next to it is crossed out with a strikethrough. Mention someone: To notify collaborators, click the @ icon. This allows you to insert the email address or name of someone in your Dropbox contacts. The person is notified by email and their Dropbox account shows that they have been tagged in a folder. This is a helpful and easy way to communicate asynchronously. Your Dropbox Basic account is a great way to work with family and friends. Leave a comment and tell us how you use Dropbox to collaborate with family and friends!How to request a Dropbox file
Dropbox is amazing as a collaborative tool - and collaboration goes both ways, so while you might be great at sharing files with your team, not everyone is. Don’t worry though, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck without your files - you can just request access and carry on! You might have seen us sharing tips on how to share your files with others here, well now we are going to flip that, and explain how you can request someone else’s files. Why would I need to request a Dropbox file? Let’s say that you discuss a file with a teammate in a meeting, and they promise to share the file with you. The next day, you notice you don’t have access yet. Looks like your teammate got pulled into a meeting right after you spoke and completely forgot to add you to the file. No problem, you can use Dropbox file requests to eliminate stress for you, and for them! Some other reasons you might want to use file requests: Anyone can send you a file you've requested, whether they have a Dropbox account or not. All the files you collect are automatically organized into a Dropbox folder you choose. People who upload files to your file request cannot access your Dropbox account. Only you can view files uploaded by others, unless you decide to share them. How do I request a Dropbox file? That all sounds good, so how do I request the files I need? Easy, just follow the steps below. Sign in to dropbox.com. Click File requests in the left sidebar. Click New request above the list of file requests. Under Title, enter a name for your request. Under Description, add details about the request, if you’d like. Choose the folder where uploaded files will go. You’ll see a default folder path. f you want to change it, click Change folder and pick a different destination.  (Optional) Set a deadline for submissions (available on some plans).  Click Create. Invite people to upload files: Type the email or name of the person (or people) you want to request files from - they’ll receive an email invitation. Or click Copy link to copy the upload link and share it wherever you want.  If you already know the exact link of the file you want access you can simply add it to the request: To copy a link instead, click Copy next to Share a link instead. You can paste the link into an email, message, or wherever you’d like people to access it. Click Share. You’ll receive an email confirmation, and an email notification when files are uploaded to your file request. Now you can get access to your files in no time! And if that wasn’t enough info, you can learn even more here. Tell us how you collaborate with your team in the comments below.How To Check If Your Space Is Being Used By A Shared Folder and How To Leave A Shared Folder
Shared folders are one of the easiest ways to collaborate with others while using Dropbox. Having a shared space makes everything simpler when you’re working on a project, sharing family photos or keeping your teams files all organised. But you might be wondering: Does this shared folder take up space in my Dropbox account? And what if I no longer need access - how do I leave it? Does a Shared Dropbox Folder Count Toward My Storage? It depends on how the folder was share with you and what level of access you have. Here’s how to check: Sign in to dropbox.com and click All files. Look for folders with a two-person icon 👥 - these are shared folders. Hover over the folder name and click the “…” (More) menu. Choose Share → then Settings. You’ll see one of these options: Can edit → the folders contents do take up space in your Dropbox account Can view → the folders contents don’t count toward your space Tip: You can also check shared folders directly from the Dropbox desktop app - the 2 person icon works the same way there too. How to Leave a Shared Dropbox Folder I No Longer Need If you see “Can edit” and you no longer need access, it’s really easy to remove yourself from the folder. Here’s how: Go to dropbox.com and sign in. Click Shared in the left sidebar. Find the folder you want to leave. Click the “…” (More) button next to it. Select Leave folder → and confirm. Once you leave: The shared folder and its files are removed from your Dropbox. They’ll no longer count toward your storage. Other members will still have access as usual. If you originally created the shared folder, you’ll need to transfer ownership before leaving. To do that: Open the folder’s Share settings. Click the dropdown beside another member’s name. Select Make owner → then leave the folder. That way, everyone who needs it still has access and the ownership transfers smoothly. And that’s it! Keeping your Dropbox account organised is a simple way to make more room for what matters most - your ideas, projects and memories. If you ever change your mind and want back into a folder in the future, just ask the owner to share it with you again. Got questions about shared folders? Drop them in the comments below or visit our shared folders FAQs. How do you organise and manage your shared folders? Join the conversation and let us know!Hey Creatives! How Do You Make the Most of Dropbox?
Hey Dropbox Community, I wanted to share a delightful story that really highlights the creative ways people use Dropbox in their everyday lives, and it’s all about a business called Pound Cake Makeup💄. Imagine turning your passion into a thriving business, all while juggling the chaos of life. That’s exactly what the founder of Pound Cake Makeup, Camille Bell, did. Using Dropbox, she keeps her business organized - from managing product photos to sharing marketing materials and collaborating with her team, all seamlessly and from anywhere 🌍. It’s a perfect example of how Dropbox is a tool that empowers creativity and entrepreneurship 💡, no matter the size of your venture. Read more about Camille’s Dropbox Story here. What really struck me about this story is how technology can be a game-changer for small businesses and creatives. It’s not just about storage - it’s about connection, flexibility, and making sure your ideas and hard work can flow smoothly, even when life gets hectic. I’d love to hear from you all: 💬 How has Dropbox helped you bring your creative projects or side hustles to life? 💡 What unexpected ways have you found to use Dropbox that made your work or personal life easier? ✨ If you could add one feature to Dropbox to better support your creative or business needs, what would it be? Let’s get the conversation going and inspire each other with the many ways Dropbox can support our passions and projects 🎨🚀. Looking forward to hearing your stories and ideas.Community Member of the Month - July 2025
We blinked and July was over! 🎉 But before we get too far into August, it’s time to celebrate someone who’s been making waves in the Dropbox Community. 🌟 Say hello to our Community Member of the Month for July … Shelladmin 👋 This month, Shelladmin stood out in a big way. As only a new member, they’ve set the bar high with their thoughtful and clear use of our brand new thread templates (you may have seen them when you are going to post something within our Help section). ✨ Their super helpful thread How can I see every folder in my Dropbox account in my macOS Finder? really grabbed our attention. Not only did they break down a tricky issue with clarity and care, but I know this thread will for sure help a bunch of future users tackle the same challenge with confidence. 💡📂 Thank you, Shelladmin! 😁 We’ve got a little surprise for you! Just reply to this message and we’ll make sure your well-earned token of appreciation is on its way 🎁🚀. Think someone else deserves the spotlight next month? Drop their name in the comments below 💬 Want to be our next Community Member of the Month? Get involved, share what you know, start a convo, and spread the love with likes and comments ❤️ You never know... you could be next! 😎Community Member of the Month - June 2025
We’re halfway through 2025 (how did that happen?!), and it's the perfect time to shine a spotlight on someone who's been absolutely rocking it in the Dropbox Community 🎉 Say hello to our Community Member of the Month for June... DoctorBashir 🤩👏! Since joining us two years ago, DoctorBashir has been a friendly, knowledgeable, and all-around awesome presence in the Community. With 18 posts and 3 accepted solutions under their belt, they’ve been quietly (and consistently!) helping others and spreading good vibes. June, however, was a standout month. From sharing crystal-clear tips to troubleshoot pesky problems, to offering invaluable advice - DoctorBashir has been on fire 🔥. One of their most helpful contributions was a super insightful post on stopping the Dropbox folder from opening on startup. Not only did they break down the fix in simple steps, but they also added thoughtful feedback that helps make Dropbox even better💡. Their passion for Dropbox and helping others really shone through and that’s exactly why they’re our star of the month 🌟 Thank you, DoctorBashir, for being such a rockstar in the Dropbox Community! Your time, wisdom, and kindness truly make a difference 🙏 🎁 We’ve got a little surprise for you! Just reply to this message and we’ll make sure your well-earned token of appreciation is on its way 🚀 Think someone else deserves the spotlight next month? Drop their name in the comments below 💬 Want to be our next Community Member of the Month? Get involved, share what you know, start a convo, and spread the love with likes and comments ❤️ You never know... you could be next! 🎯From Musicians to Beginners, There's a Community Just for You!
New to Dropbox or been around a while? Either way, there’s a spot for you here within the Dropbox Community ✨ We’ve got dedicated spaces where people with similar passions, professions, and goals come together to swap tips, tricks, and ideas 🤩. Let’s take a quick tour of our groups🚶♀️. Dropbox for Beginners Group New to Dropbox or just new to the Dropbox Community? Welcome 😁! The Dropbox for Beginners Group is where you’ll find all the advice you need to get started, from the basics of file storage to collaboration tips 👨💻. This is a supportive Community where no question is too basic, and everyone is eager to help. It’s the perfect place to get confident using Dropbox and to connect with others on the same journey 🙌. Photography Group For photographers who live for the perfect shot, this group is packed with people who “get it.” 😉 In the Photography Group, we exchange ideas on how to use Dropbox to manage, share, and backup high-resolution images with ease. It's a place to discuss editing workflows, storage tips, and strategies for getting the most out of your Dropbox space 💪. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this is your Community for all things photography. Musicians Group Calling all rockstars, classical composers, and bedroom DJs! The Musicians Group is the spot where sound creators share how they use Dropbox for everything from file sharing to full-scale album production 😎. It's an ideal space for musicians to connect, learn new workflows, and discuss everything from collaboration techniques to file organization tips, so you can spend less time worrying about tech stuff and more time making music! Jump into these groups, say hello, and start exploring 👋. Whether you’re making music, capturing moments, editing videos, or just beginning your Dropbox journey, there’s a whole Community waiting to support you 🤗. And hey, if there's a group or space you'd love to see here, let us know, we're always open to ideas to make this Community even better for you 😃.
