How to create tags for Dropbox files

Updated Nov 23, 2023

This feature is available to all Dropbox users on dropbox.com.

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:

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Navigate to the file or folder where you’d like to remove a tag.
  3. Click the “” (ellipsis) to the left.
  4. Click File info.
  5. You will see # Add a tag in the right-side panel.
  6. Type your tag and press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac).
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Notes:

  • Tags must be less than 32 characters and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
  • Up to 20 tags can be added to a single file.
  • Tags are supported in all Dropbox available languages.

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 left.
  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 on the tag in the right-side panel to view all the files associated with that tag. 
  • Click into the search bar and prior to typing, 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. 

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