How to share a link to a Dropbox file or folder

Updated Mar 04, 2024
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The information in this article applies to all Dropbox users, unless otherwise stated.

You can create a link to a file or folder in your Dropbox account to share it with others. When you share a file or folder via a link, you can give people with that link edit or view-only access.  You can also manage this in your default sharing settings.

 

Not using Dropbox yet? See how Dropbox helps you easily share folders.

Things to be aware of when sharing links to Dropbox files and folders

  • Customers on Dropbox Professional, Essentials, Standard, Advanced, Business, Business Plus, and Enterprise can set additional shared link permissions like passwords and expiration dates.
  • You can't create a shared link to a restricted folder.
  • Team admins may change default link sharing settings, but team members can still choose who they want to share the link with.

Will my Dropbox link automatically grant edit access to my folder?

If you’re on a Dropbox Basic, Professional, or Plus account, you can give other Dropbox users edit access to your Dropbox files or folders via a link. 

 

If you share with someone without a Dropbox account, they’ll only be able to preview the file or folder. 

 

If you give another Dropbox user access to a file or folder, they can create their own link to share that content with others. If you’re an admin on a Dropbox team, you can control the link settings for the rest of your team

 

If you’re a member of a Dropbox team account, you can still adjust settings for certain items even if the team admin changes default link sharing settings.

How to create and share a Dropbox link with edit access

Dropbox is moving to an updated shared link architecture where links are based on content rather than on users. This will affect how links are created and shared. 

 

The new links can be identified by the presence of an ‘rlkey’ parameter in the URL. For these links, the above behavior will perform differently:

  • Users with edit access can create both edit or view-only links if links have not been created already.
  • If you share a file or folder with an external partner using a link, they can share it with other external parties with the same link. They can’t create their own shared link since each file or folder can only have one edit link and one view-only link.
  • If you create a shared link with edit access, anyone who accesses that file or folder via that link can add that content to their Dropbox account, making them members of that content with edit access.

 

How to create and share a Dropbox link with edit access on dropbox.com 

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Hover over the file or folder you’d like to share and click the share icon (rectangle with an up arrow).
  3. From the dropdown, select Can edit.
    • If a link hasn't been created, click Create.
    • If a link has been created, then click Copy link.
  4. The link is copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an email, message, or wherever people can access it.
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Note: If the link recipient is a member of a Dropbox team, their ability to edit content depends on their team’s permissions.

How to create and share a Dropbox link with view-only access

If someone receives a shared link or shared file with view-only permissions, they won't be able to edit the original file.

 

Dropbox is moving to an updated shared link architecture where links are based on content rather than on users. This will affect how links are created and shared. 

 

The new links can be identified by the presence of an ‘rlkey’ parameter in the URL. For these links, the above behavior will perform differently:

  • Users with view-only access can only create view-only links, but users with edit access can create both edit or view-only links if links have not been created already.
  • Only one edit link and one view-only link can exist per file or folder.
  • View-only and edit links are different. You‘re unable to change a view-only link into an edit link or vice versa.
  • Users can add files or folders to their Dropbox accounts via shared links, making them members of that content with edit or view-only access, depending on the shared link.
  • If you want to remove someone’s access to a specific file or folder, you’ll need to both delete the shared link and remove the user from the access list.

 

How to create and share a Dropbox link with view-only access on dropbox.com 

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Hover over the file or folder you’d like to share and click the share icon (rectangle with an up arrow).
  3. From the dropdown, select Can view.
    • If a link hasn't been created, click Create.
    • If a link has been created, then click Copy link.
  4. The link is copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an email, message, or wherever people can access it.

 

How to create and share a Dropbox link with view-only access on your computer

  1. Open the Dropbox folder in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
  2. Right-click or command-click the file or folder you’d like to share.
  3. Click Share….
  4. Select Can view.
    highlighter icon Note: If sharing a folder, select from the dropdown menu.
    • If a link hasn't been created, click Create link.
    • If a link has been created, click Create Link
  5. The link is copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an email, message, or wherever people can access it.

How to manage links with edit or view-only access

You can make changes to a file or folder link after sharing it.

Learn how to manage Dropbox sharing permissions.

 

There are some exceptions to this, including:

  • If you remove someone’s access and they still have a file or folder link, they could regain access. To prevent them from regaining access, remove the link to the file or folder.
  • If someone you’ve shared a folder link with has joined that folder, the link permissions you set will no longer apply.
  • If you invite someone to a file or folder with access, they can create their own link to share with someone else. You can’t manage those shared links, so be sure to only share with people you trust.

 

Can I protect my link with a passcode?

You can add passwords to shared links if you’re a Professional, Standard, Advanced, or Enterprise customer.

 

Customize links and settings

Dropbox Professional, Standard, Advanced, Business, Business Plus, and Enterprise customers can change link settings and customize shared links with professional branding.

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