Dropbox automation options

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

You can use automation options in Dropbox to organize and automate tasks, like unzipping and converting files, within your account.

How to create an automated folder

To create an automated folder:

  1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click New automated folder on the right.
  3. Name the folder and select an automation option.
    • Options provided will be Files added to a folder are saved as PDFs, Files added to a folder are watermarked, Files added to a folder are unzipped, Files added to a folder are tagged*, Files added to a folder are saved as images, Files added to a folder are saved as videos, and Files saved to a folder are sorted based on category.
      • Note: When you add a watermark, you can choose either an image or text. You can see how your documents look with the watermark in the preview on the right.
  4. When you’ve added all your options, click Save.

*Only available to users on Dropbox Professional, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise plans

How to add automation to an existing folder

To add automation to a folder:

  1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click the folder where you’d like to add automation.
  3. Click Add automation.
  4. Select the automation option and click Next.
  • When you add a watermark, you can choose either an image or text. You can see how your documents look with the watermark in the preview on the right.

5. Follow the prompt(s), then click Add.

Note: You must have editing abilities for a folder to add, edit, or delete automations.

How to pause automation

To pause automation on a folder:

  1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click the folder you’d like to pause.
  3. Click Edit automation.
  4. Click the Active/Paused toggle in the top-right of the window.

How to remove automation from a folder

To remove automation from a folder:

  1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click the folder where you’d like to remove automation.
  3. Click Edit automation.
  4. Click the trashcan icon in the top-right of the window.
  5. Click Remove.

How to share an automated folder 

Automated folders can be shared the same as any other folder. The folder automation will remain for anyone the folder is shared with. Once an automated folder has been shared with someone, they will see notation that the folder is automated as well as which automation option was selected.

What happens when I move a file to an automated folder?

You can move a file to an automated folder just like you would move a file to any other folder in your Dropbox account. When you move a file to an automated folder, the selected automation will take effect. This works the same for your folders as well as folders shared with teammates.

If a file was moved to an automated folder accidentally, you can click Undo in the panel at the bottom of your screen.

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