Dropbox automation options

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. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Click + Create under the search bar.
3. Select Folder. 
4. Select Automated folder.
5. Name the folder and select an automation option:
   • Choose a category to sort files by
   • Set a rule that renames files
   • Choose a tag to organize and find files
     • Note: Only available to users on Dropbox Professional, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise plans.
   • Convert files to PDFs
   • Choose an image format to convert files to
   • Choose a file format to convert videos to
   • Unzip files
   • Choose a file format to convert audio files to
   • Watermark files
     • 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.
   • Choose a folder to move files to
6. When you’ve added all your options, click Save.

How to add automation to an existing folder

To add automation to a folder:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Click the folder where you’d like to add automation.
3. Click the settings gear icon at the end of the folder name. 
4. Select Organize.
5. Click Add automation.
6. Select the automation option and click Save.

How to pause automation

To pause automation on a folder:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Click the folder you’d like to pause.
3. Click the settings gear icon at the end of the folder name. 
4. Select Organize.
5. Click Edit automation.
6. Click the Active/Paused toggle in the top-right of the window.
7. Click Save.

How to remove automation from a folder

To remove automation from a folder:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Click the folder where you’d like to remove automation.
3. Click the settings gear icon at the end of the folder name. 
4. Select Organize.
5. Click Edit automation.
6. Click the trashcan icon in the top-right of the window.
7. 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.