How to comment on Dropbox files

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.

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.

New to Dropbox? See how you can easily add annotations to your collaborative work.

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. Click the name of the file you want to comment on.
4. Click the Comments button at the top-right. 
5. Type your comment.
   • To mention someone in your comment, type @ and then their name or click the @ icon.
   • Add an emoji to your comment by clicking the happy face icon
6. Click Post.

How to comment on a specific part of a file

To comment on a specific part of a file:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Click All files in the left sidebar.
3. Click the name of the file you want to comment on.
4. Click the Comments button at the top-right. 
5. Click the circle with a plus sign next to Add your thoughts.
6. Click and drag a box around the area of the file you’d like to comment on.
7. Click the comment box in the right sidebar.
8. Type your comment.
9. 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.

Note: This feature is only available on dropbox.com for files in a Dropbox Professional, Advanced, 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.
3. Click the name of the video or audio file you want to comment on.
4. Click Comments at 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.
7. Click Post. 

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.
3. Click the name of the file you want to comment on.
4. Click the Comments button at the top-right. 
5. Click the comment you’d like to edit or delete.
6. Click Edit or Delete.

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.
 

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

If the file belongs to someone with a Dropbox Professional, Advanced, 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.