How to search the contents of your Dropbox files

Full-text search allows you to search the contents of your files in Dropbox. With full-text search, when you search your Dropbox files for a keyword, the results will include any files that contain that keyword in addition to any files with that keyword in the name. 

To search the contents of your Dropbox files:

1. Sign in to dropbox.com.
2. Click the search bar at the top.
3. Start typing what you’d like to search for. Search results will appear as you type. You can either click one of those results or press the enter (Windows) or return (Mac) on your keyboard to see all results.

A text snippet will appear below each search result to show where in the file the keyword is located.

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FAQs about full-text search

What files types is full-text search available for?

You can search the contents of the following file types:

• .doc
• .docx
• .docm
• .gdoc
• .gsheet
• .jpg (Dropbox Professional and team users only)
• .paper
• .papert
• .pdf
• .png (Dropbox Professional and team users only)
• .ppt
• .pptx
• .pptm
• .gif (Dropbox Professional and team users only)
• .gslide
• .rtf
• .tiff (Dropbox Professional and team users only)
• .txt
• .xls
• .xlsx
• .xlsm
• .vtt
  

Learn more about how to search images in Dropbox.

Is full-text search available in all languages?

No, full-text search is only available in certain languages. If your search results only include files and folders with your keyword in the name, then the feature isn't available in your language.