How to create tags for Dropbox files

You can add tags to files and folders to help you organize and quickly find everything in your Dropbox account. Tags are available to all Dropbox users and can be added to individual files, folders, or in bulk. Anyone who can view or edit a file or folder can see its tags, but only people with edit access can add or remove tags.

How to add a tag

To add a tag to a file or folder:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Navigate to the file or folder where you’d like to remove a tag.
3. Click “…” (ellipsis) to the right of the name of the file or folder. Or, click the file to preview it.
4. Click File info.
   • If you’re previewing the file in Full screen, click File instead. Then, click Info.
5. You’ll see # Add a tag in the right-side panel.
6. Type your tag and press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac).

How to remove a tag
 

To remove a tag from a file:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Navigate to the file where you’d like to remove a tag.
3. Click the “…” (ellipsis) to the right of the name of the file or folder.
4. Click File info.
   • Tags for that file will appear under the file preview in the right sidebar.
5. Click the X to the right of the tag you’d like to remove.
    

How to search for a tag
 

There are multiple ways to search for a tag: 

• Enter the tag, in the format of #tag_name, in the search bar at the top of the screen. 
• As you start typing in the search bar, you’ll see a list of suggested tags. Select the tag you’re looking for.
• Click the tag in the left-side panel when previewing a file to view all the files associated with that tag. 
• Click the search bar and select the tag you wish to search under Tags.

How to use tags with an automated folder

Using automation, you can apply tags to files within a specific folder by default.

To create a folder with automated tags:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Click + Create under the search bar.
3. Hover over Folder. 
4. Select Automated folder.
5. Click Choose a tag to organize and find files.
6. Add at least one tag.
7. Click Save.

To add automated tags to an existing folder:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Click the folder where you’d like to add automated tags.
3. Click the gear icon next to the folder name. 
4. Hover over Organize.
5. Click Add automation.
6. Click Choose a tag to organize and find files.
   • To add this automation to all files currently within this subfolder, click Apply to current files.
   • To add this automation to all subfolders of this folder, click Include files in all subfolders.
7. Add at least one tag.
8. Click Save.

Learn more about automated folders.