How to write content in Dropbox Dash

You can use Dropbox Dash to write new content using your team’s existing files as a reference. Dash scans selected files to extract key details and uses that information to generate drafts for a variety of document types, including:

• Follow-up emails
• Financial summaries
• Project proposals
• Action item lists

Once generated, you can further edit the content, customize the tone and style of the output, or create a reusable custom template.

How to write content 

To write new content:

1. Log in to dash.ai.
2. Click Chat in the left sidebar.
3. Click Write something.
4. Choose Start from scratch or select a template.
5. Click Add sources to search or upload reference materials, if you’d like.
   • Note: You can only upload files that are 50 MB or smaller with one of the following file extensions: .csv, .docx, .pdf, or .txt.
6. Enter a description or prompt in the text box. 
7. Click (send).
8. Once the draft appears, you can:
   • Add more instructions or context.
   • Change or create a custom tone from the Tone dropdown.
   • Apply existing or create a custom from the Template dropdown.
9. To save or copy the content, click Export in the upper right.
10. Choose how you'd like to save your content:
    • Copy text
    • Copy markdown
    • Save to Paper

How to create a custom template

You can create a custom template to reuse prompts, source files, and tone settings for common content types. Once created, you can keep the template for your personal use or share it with others in your organization. 

To create a reusable custom template:

1. Log in to dash.ai.
2. Click Chat in the left sidebar.
3. Click Write something.
4. Choose Start from scratch or select an existing template.
5. Click Add sources to search or upload reference materials, if you’d like.
   • Note: You can only upload files that are 50 MB or smaller with one of the following file extensions: .csv, .docx, .pdf, or .txt.
6. Enter a description or prompt in the text box. 
7. Click (send).
8. Once the draft appears, select the Template dropdown above the draft.
9. Click Create Template.
10. Search or upload your source files.
11. Click Next.
12. Once the draft appears, add more instructions or context if you’d like.  You can also edit the template directly.
13. Click Next.
14. Enter a name and description.
15. Select the template permissions:
    • To restrict access to the template, select Only me.
    • To make the template available to everyone in your organization, select Publish to company.

How to create a custom tone

Tones help ensure your content matches a specific communication style. You can choose from predefined options or create your own to reflect your brand voice. Each tone sets guidelines for language, style, and formality, making it easy to produce consistent, on-brand content. You can also share custom tones with others to maintain alignment across your team or organization. After you create your tone, you select it from the Tone dropdown to apply it to new content.

To apply a tone to your content:

1. Log in to dash.ai.
2. Click Chat in the left sidebar.
3. Click Write something.
4. Choose Start from scratch or select an existing template.
5. Click Add sources to search or upload reference materials, if you’d like.
   • Note: You can only upload files that are 50 MB or smaller with one of the following file extensions: .csv, .docx, .pdf, or .txt.
6. Enter a description or prompt in the text box. 
7. Click (send).
8. Once the draft appears, select the Tone dropdown above the draft.
9. Select Create custom tone.
10. Search or upload your source files.
11. Click Next.
12. Once the draft appears, add more instructions or context if you’d like.
13. Click Next.
14. Enter a name and description.
15. Select the permissions:
    • To restrict access to the tone, select Only me.
    • To make the tone available to everyone in your organization, select Publish to company.
16. Click Done.