How to use Dropbox in Microsoft Teams

The Microsoft Teams Dropbox app allows you to share and upload files to Dropbox and preview all file types without leaving Microsoft Teams. 

Access your Dropbox files directly in Microsoft Teams when you add the Dropbox app. Any Dropbox user can add the Dropbox app in their Microsoft Teams account. When you add the Dropbox app, you can:

• Collaborate with Dropbox shared folder members in Microsoft Teams.
• Open Dropbox and Office files in your Dropbox folder using Microsoft Teams.
• Add Dropbox folders to channels on Microsoft Teams.
   

Learn more about the system requirements you need to use Dropbox with Microsoft Teams.

How to add the Dropbox app

Quickly access your Dropbox files without leaving the Microsoft app. You can share files with your team without being in a channel or chat. 
 

To add the Dropbox app:

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Click Apps in the left sidebar.
   • If you don’t see the Dropbox app, enter “Dropbox” in the search bar and press Enter or Return on your keyboard or click the magnifying glass.
3. Click Add in the Dropbox box. 
4. Click Add in the window that appears. If you click the down arrow next to Add, you can choose if you’d like to add the Dropbox app to a team, chat, or meeting.

How to upload files to your Dropbox

You can upload files to your Dropbox account and share them at the same time, without leaving the Microsoft Teams app.
 

To upload files to Dropbox:

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Click Dropbox in the left sidebar.
3. Open a folder location and click Upload.
4. Drag and drop files to upload. 
   • You can also click in the location, select the file to upload and click Open.

How to add and share Dropbox files in chat messages

You can add and share Dropbox files and file links in chat messages instead of just channels in Microsoft Teams. 
 

To share files in chat:

1. Open Microsoft Teams. 
2. Click Chat in the left sidebar.
3. Open the chat you want to share files in. 
4. Click the “…” (ellipsis) at the bottom of your message window.
5. Click Dropbox app. 
6. Click the file you wish to share. 
   • A thumbnail of your file will appear with Preview and Open in Dropbox buttons in your chat message. 
7. Click Send arrow to share the file in your conversation.
   

To get a link to your file: 

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Click Dropbox in the left sidebar.
3. Choose the file or folder you want a link to.
4. Select Copy link.

A Microsoft Teams link will copy to your clipboard.

How to add a Dropbox tab to a channel

To add a Dropbox tab: 

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Click Teams in the left sidebar.
3. Select the team channel you want to add a Dropbox tab to.
4. Click (plus sign icon) to right of the channel title.
5. Click Add a tab, and select Dropbox or type “Dropbox” in the search bar at the top right.
6. In the Dropbox box that appears, select a shared folder to be the default folder for everyone in the conversation.
   • Note: Uncheck the checkbox at the bottom if you don’t want the Dropbox tab posted in the channel. 
7. Click Save.

How to preview files in a chat message

Your recipients can preview Dropbox files you send no matter what type of file it is. 

To preview a Dropbox file:

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Click Chat in the left sidebar.
3. Select the chat you want to preview.
4. Click the Preview button in the chat message sent to you.

How to open files on your desktop

You can open Dropbox files sent via Teams on your desktop only if:

• The Dropbox desktop app is installed.
• The parent folder that contains the file you’re opening is saved to Dropbox.
• You have access to that parent folder.
• You have access to the shared file or folder.

To open a file on your desktop:

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Click Chat in the left sidebar.
3. Select the file you want to open.
4. Click Open on desktop.

How to manage Microsoft Teams for your team 

Admins can automatically:

• Install and pin app for all users
• Disable the Files tab and SharePoint integration
• Use app permission policies to control user access to apps

Admins can also add Dropbox to all their Teams channels using Dropbox’s admin console. To do so:

1. Log in to your admin console on dropbox.com.
2. Click Settings in the left sidebar.
3. Go to App permissions in the Settings.
4. Click the Other apps tab.
5. Select Allow from the dropdown menu.
6. Check the box next to Dropbox for Microsoft Teams app.
7. Click Edit Preferences.
8. Click Add to all channels.