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39 TopicsAdd .dropboxignore directory to exclude folders without using selective sync
Please please please can you add a feature that allows folders to be excluded from the Dropbox account (on windows and mac). For sure I'm not the first person to request this, but I'm yet to find a good explanation of why it's not there. A quick google search reveals loads of people also looking for the same feature. I really like the workflow I have with dropbox, but it's getting to the point where I might switch providers in order to allow better selective sync. I've seen hackish solutions using selective sync, but it would be great if this could be done in one of the following ways: - global pattern matching eg "node_modules" - a marker file in the directory like .dropboxignore - a simple right click context menu "Ignore this folder" Other than that, keep up the good work. Cheers. Tom Idea Status Update Ignore Files is available to all individual plan customers Learn more 👉 Cut the Clutter: Ignore Files Feature is now live | The Dropbox Community630KViews1422likes1036CommentsDark Mode for Dropbox on Desktop
Hello Everybody! I have created this thread to provide updates on Dark Mode for Dropbox on Desktop. We are closing off the longer thread for general Dark Mode requests so that we can provide our community with updates for specific products, and so that requests don't get lost. At the time of posting, our team is looking into Dark Mode for Desktop, but cannot provide a time frame for implementation. You can vote for this idea and comment here to show your support. I will update the status of this idea when we know more! Regards, Ben12KViews29likes46CommentsLocal links
Problem In our Dropbox Business account, we often need to share links to files or folders with colleagues who already have access and have Dropbox installed. Currently: When we use the “Share” feature, the link opens in the browser. This is inefficient when the user just needs to open the local file/folder, especially for deeply nested folders. Or worse, the person sends the file as an email, and now we have multiple versions and confusion about which is the "source of truth". Workaround: We have to manually send them the file path (e.g., /Users/bob/Dropbox/ProjectX/Report.docx), which: Requires the recipient to hunt it down in Finder/Explorer. Is error-prone due to path differences, renames, or accidental typos. Offers a worse user experience than comparable tools like Google Drive File Stream, which can open the file directly via a smart link from the web. Proposed Solution Introduce a new link format — .dropboxlink files — that can be double-clicked or opened to launch the Dropbox desktop app, which then opens the file or folder locally. How it might work: The link includes a Dropbox-relative path (e.g., /ProjectX/Report.docx). When opened, the Dropbox app: Resolves the correct local file path on that device. Brings the file into sync if it’s online-only (with options if needed). Opens the file in its native app or highlights it in Finder/Explorer. Key Benefits Faster collaboration: Opens files/folders locally with one click. Less error-prone than copying/pasting paths. Easier onboarding: Helps users avoid learning about aliases, sync paths, or browser UX differences. Reusable: These .dropboxlink files could be stored on desktops, added to docs, or included in readme files for onboarding. Design Considerations Security: Only opens if user has access. Device-aware: Dropbox app already tracks where the folder is located per device. Fallbacks: If the file is no longer available, provide a browser fallback or a “Request Access” flow. If offline or not synced, offer user-friendly prompts (e.g. “Make available offline”).620Views3likes1CommentEnable create and rename folders/files on MacOS Dropbox application for admin users
After a recent dropbox update, at the top level, admin users are unable to create and rename files on their desktop dropbox application for Mac users (OS version: Sequoia 15.3.2). This slight change has made it more of a hassle to use the desktop app, it makes it appear obsolete to be honest. My team needs a number of folders to created frequently as we get new cases quite frequently. After the new update, as the admin user, I have to navigate to my web browser in order to create a folder and then come back to my desktop app to add all the relevant documents into that folder. If I make a mistake in the name of the folder, I can't change the name of the folder I have to go back to web browser, find the folder and then change it from there. It is such that even as an admin user on my computer, when I go to unlock the folder at the top level to give me read and write access, it automatically switches back as it is something that has been enabled from the software and not the user end. I could see the justification for having this restriction for non-admin users but for admin users whose job description requires the creation and modification of top level files, it has added an additional step in work flow that is cumbersome. In the past, all these could be done directly from the desktop app. I would like to request that the feature be put back as it was. The new change is not user friendly at all.516Views4likes11CommentsInaccurate local directory size display in MacOS Finder
I'd like to request better file size tracking for files within File Provider API. In MacOS Finder, all directory and file sizes now list the full size of the contents regardless of their local status. I'd like to be able to see either the on-disk or uploaded file size. For instance, if only some of the subdirectories in a folder are online-only, the "cloud vs check" icon status in Finder is not sufficient to tell you if the directory is taking up space. On the web site, General settings there is a switch labeled "Online-only files on Mac: This displays online-only file sizes in Mac Finder as zero bytes so you can easily review which files are taking up hard drive space." Unfortunately, this switch does not actually do what it says, and the switch setting does not control the file and directory size listings on the Mac. For me, at least, all files and all directories are listed as their uploaded size all the time. I would recommend either removing the switch, providing the functionality (obviously my preference), or indicating the conditions in which the switch has an effect.512Views1like7CommentsAdd an option to prevent a thumbnail popup when taking a screenshot
When you use Dropbox desktop app on Windows and enable the option; "Save screenshots to Dropbox" a thumbnail of a screenshot appears at the corner of the screen when a screenshot is taken. This popup needs to be manually closed if you want to take another screenshot. There should be an option in the Preferences to prevent the popup.441Views0likes7CommentsGive us an option to not sync hidden files.
Allow the user to set an option to NOT sync files with hidden attribute. Some applications create lots of hidden files to handle internal processes. These files are important for the current operation of an application, but not for the user via Dropbox. A less useful option would be to allow the user to specify a blacklist of filenames or folder names to not sync. *.tmp or .profile279Views2likes5Comments"Selective sync from search" feature on the Dropbox desktop app
"Selective Sync from Search" feature would allow users to easily initiate selective sync for files or folders discovered through the search function. This would streamline the process of managing synced files, especially for users with large Dropbox accounts and complex folder structures. Currently, users need to navigate through the Dropbox preferences and the folder structure to manage selective sync, which can be time-consuming. Here's why this feature would be useful and how it could work: Problem: Time-consuming navigation: Finding specific folders or files within a large Dropbox account to manage their sync status can be tedious. Difficulty managing large accounts: Users with many files and folders often need to selectively sync to manage storage space and optimize performance. Potential for errors: Users might accidentally sync or unsync the wrong files or folders due to the complex navigation. Solution: Integrate selective sync into search: Allow users to right-click on files or folders discovered through the Dropbox search and initiate selective sync directly from the search results. Simplified workflow: This would eliminate the need to navigate through the Dropbox preferences and locate the specific item within the folder structure. Improved user experience: A more intuitive and efficient way to manage synced files, especially for users with large Dropbox accounts. How it could work: Search for a file or folder: Use the Dropbox search bar to find the desired item. Right-click the search result: A context menu would appear. Select "Selective Sync": Choose this option from the context menu. Toggle sync settings: A panel would appear, allowing users to easily check or uncheck the sync status for that specific item. Apply changes: The changes would be applied immediately, syncing or unsyncing the item as requested. Benefits: Increased efficiency: Users can quickly manage sync settings for files found through search. Improved organization: Users can easily tailor their Dropbox experience to their specific needs. Reduced storage consumption: Users can selectively sync files and folders to optimize storage space. Enhanced user satisfaction: A more streamlined and user-friendly experience. This feature would be a valuable addition to Dropbox, making it easier for users to manage their files and optimize their storage space.274Views1like4CommentsRestore the Linux Dropbox Daemon folder selective sync GUI
That latest update to the Linux Dropbox daemon removed the GUI for allowing users to select which folders to sync. This was confirmed to me by technical support (hence me making this suggestion here, per their recommendation). The CLI still works of course (e.g., dropbox exclude add/remove), but this adds another, odious, step, since one has to first find where those files and folders are on Dropbox via the web browser, then build the correct path and copy that to the CLI. It is very, very inefficient. We have gotten used to and accepted the lack of good Linux functionality on Linux over the years (and certainly not smartsync...) while paying the same price as anyone else, but this new regression really does add a whole new impediment to using Dropbox efficiently, especially for business. Please restore the folder select GUI, at the very least!266Views3likes2CommentsShared Color Tags / Visual Labels in Shared Folders
It would be extremely useful if color tags or file highlights could be made visible to all collaborators in a shared Dropbox folder. Many teams rely on visual cues for workflow, and this would reduce confusion and improve coordination. Please consider enabling this feature across shared folders — similar to how macOS tags or Google Drive priority labels work.231Views1like5Comments