How to create a Dropbox Paper doc

Updated Jan 24, 2025
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The information in this article applies to all Dropbox users.

You can create a Paper doc on dropbox.com, the Dropbox Paper mobile app, and the Dropbox mobile app.
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Note: If you're on the 2020 release of Dropbox Paper, you can create Dropbox Paper docs directly in a Dropbox folder.
 

To check which version you are on, follow these steps:

  1. Log into the Dropbox website.
  2. Open the folder from the Dropbox Home page. 
  3. Click Create.
  4. Hover over Document.
  • If you see Dropbox Paper in the list of document types, then you’re using the 2020 release of Dropbox Paper.
  • If you don’t see Dropbox Paper in the list of document types, then you’re using the old release of Paper.
    • For Dropbox Paper docs created in the old release, they can only be stored in folders on paper.dropbox.com.

On dropbox.com

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click the grid icon in the top left.
  3. Click Paper from the dropdown that appears.
  4. Click Create new doc or Create Paper doc, depending on your account.

A new Paper doc will open.

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Note: You can also type “paper.new” (without quotes) in your Internet browser’s address bar to quickly create a new Paper doc. Learn more about .new shortcuts.

On the Dropbox Paper mobile app

  1. Open the Paper mobile app.
  2. Tap “+” (plus sign) in the top right.
  3. Tap New blank doc.

A new blank doc will open.

  1. Open the Paper mobile app.
  2. Tap the edit button (pen icon) in the bottom right.

A new blank doc will open.

On the Dropbox mobile app

You can create and organize Paper docs using the Dropbox mobile app, but editing them (on mobile) requires the Dropbox Paper mobile app.

  1. Open the Dropbox mobile app.
  2. Tap Create at the bottom.
  3. Tap Create or upload file.
  4. Tap Paper.
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Note: If you don’t see Paper as an option, you’re using the older release of Dropbox Paper instead of the 2020 release. If you’re using the older release, you’ll need to use the Dropbox Paper mobile app to create Paper docs on mobile.

  1. Tap File name, type a filename to replace the “Untitled” text, then tap Done.
  2. Under Save location, tap the folder where you want to save the file, or tap Choose a different folder….
  3. Tap Create.

The Dropbox app creates the file and sends you to the Dropbox Paper app so you can edit it.

  1. Open the Dropbox mobile app.
  2. Tap the “+” (plus sign) in the bottom right.
  3. Tap Create new Paper doc.
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Note: If you don’t see Paper as an option, you’re using the older release of Dropbox Paper instead of the 2020 release. If you’re using the older release, you’ll need to use the Dropbox Paper mobile app to create Paper docs on mobile.

  1. Title your new Paper doc.
  2. Tap Create file.

The Dropbox app creates the file and sends you to the Dropbox Paper app so you can edit it.

Watch this video for a quick overview of how to get started with Dropbox Paper.

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