How to comment on Dropbox files

Updated Oct 10, 2023
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 This article describes a feature available to all Dropbox users.

Anyone who has access to a Dropbox file can leave a comment and view other comments, unless commenting is turned off. Learn how to turn commenting off for a file.


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Notes:

  • You can manage view and comment permissions directly in Dropbox Replay under each media file’s share settings.
  • You can revoke comment permissions on Dropbox Replay by disabling existing view and comment shared links, and sharing a new view-only link.

How to comment on a file

To comment on a file:

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click All files in the left sidebar.
  3. You can also click Folders in the left navigation bar to locate your file.
  4. Click the name of the file you want to comment on.
  5. Click the Comments button in the top-right corner. 
  6. Add a comment to an area in the file, or a precise point in the file.
    • To comment on an area in the file, click and drag a box around the area of the file you’d like to comment on. Then, click again to create the box. 
      • Note: You can’t change the size or placement of a box after it’s been made.
    • To comment on an exact point in the file, click anywhere on the file to add a comment to that precise location. 
    • To comment on a piece of text, highlight the text layer to select it. 
  7. Type your comment in the box that appears.
    • To mention someone in your comment, type @ and then their name or click @.
    • Add an emoji to your comment by clicking the happy face icon.
    • Press enter on your keyboard to create a new line.
  8. Click the up arrow next to your comment.

 

How to comment on a specific part of a file:

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Note: This option is only available for images and PDF files.

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click All files in the left sidebar.
    • You can also click Folders in the left navigation bar to locate your file.
  3. Click the name of the file you want to comment on.
  4. Click the Comments button at the top-right.
  5. Click and drag a box around the area of the file you’d like to comment on.
  6. Click the comment box in the right sidebar.
  7. Type your comment.
  8. Click Post.

Learn how to comment on a specific time in a video or audio file.

How to comment on a specific time in a video or audio file

You can leave a comment on a specific time in a video or audio file on dropbox.com. All video and audio file types that can preview in Dropbox allow for comments on specific times.

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Note: This feature is only available on dropbox.com for files in a Dropbox Professional, Essentials, Business, Advanced, Business Plus, Enterprise, or Education account. Dropbox Replay users can also comment on specific frames.

To comment on a timestamp:

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click All files in the left sidebar.
    • You can also click Folders in the left navigation bar to locate your file.
  3. Click the name of the video or audio file you want to comment on.
  4. Click the Comments icon in the top right. 
  5. Click in the text field in the bottom right, then type your comment:
    • To mention someone in your comment, type @ and then their name or click @
    • Add an emoji to your comment by clicking the happy face icon.
  6. Check the box next to the timestamp to add your comment at that timestamp.
    • To mention someone in your comment, type @ and then their name or click @.
    • Add an emoji to your comment by clicking the happy face icon.
    • Press enter on your keyboard to create a new line.
  7. Click the up arrow next to your comment.

How to edit or delete a comment

To edit or delete a comment:

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click All files in the left sidebar.
    • You can also click Folders in the left navigation bar to locate your file.
  3. Click the name of the file you've left a comment on.
  4. Click the Comments icon in the top-right corner. 
  5. Click the comment you’d like to edit or delete.
  6. Click Edit or Delete.
     

How to react to a comment

To react to someone else’s comment on a file:

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click All files in the left sidebar.
    • You can also click Folders in the left navigation bar to locate your file.
  3. Click the name of the file that contains the comment you wish to react to.
  4. Click the Comments icon in the top-right corner. 
  5. Hover your cursor over the comment you wish to react to.
  6. Click the happy face icon that appears.
  7. Click the emoji you’d like to react with.
    • You can find emojis by navigating through the themes at the bottom of the pop-up window.
       

How to view resolved comments

To view all resolved comments on a file:

  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click All files in the left sidebar.
    • You can also click Folders in the left navigation to locate your file.
  3. Click the name of the file you want to comment on.
  4. Click the Comments icon in the top-right corner. 
  5. Click the settings icon (three horizontal lines with circles).
  6. Click View resolved comments.

FAQs about commenting

How are comments ordered in the comment pane?

Comments are listed in different orders, depending on the type of file you’re viewing.

  • If you’re viewing an audio or video file, the default sort order is by timeframe. For example, a comment posted at 01:11 will be listed before a comment posted at 02:07.
  • If you’re viewing a file with multiple pages, the default sort order is by pages. For example, a comment posted on page 1 will be listed before a comment posted on page 5.
  • If you’re viewing any other type of file, the default sort order is from newest to oldest comment.

For any file you’re viewing, you can change the sort order by clicking the Sort by dropdown below Comments in the right sidebar.

Who is notified when I leave a comment?

The following people will receive an email and a notification both on dropbox.com and on their connected devices: 

  • The file owner
  • Anyone who has subscribed to the file
  • Anyone who has commented on the comment thread
  • Anyone who was @mentioned in the comment thread

 

Learn how to change your notification preferences.

Can someone leave a comment when they’re not logged into a Dropbox account?

Yes, the person will be prompted to enter their name which will appear next to their comment.

Who can comment on a specific time on video and audio files?

If the file belongs to someone with a Dropbox Professional, Essentials, Business, Advanced, Business Plus, Enterprise, or Education account, other people with those account types will be able to comment on a specific time. 

 

If the file belongs to someone with a Dropbox Basic, Plus, Family, or Standard account, comments can only be left at :00 and the time will be grayed out.

 

Customers who have purchased the Dropbox Replay Add-On (formerly the Creative Tools Add-On) can also comment on specific frames of video files. 

What timezone are comment timestamps shown in?

Comment timestamps are shown in your device’s time zone. For example, if your device is set to Pacific Standard Time, then all comment timestamps you see will be shown in Pacific Standard Time.

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