Want to share a Dropbox file quickly? You need a Dropbox link. These links, which you can share using email or any messaging app, give anyone read-only access to your file. Even better: these links work even if your recipient doesn’t have a Dropbox account. Here's how to create Dropbox links from the browser, from your computer's file browser, and using the mobile app. Note that these links are not secure: anyone could forward the link to anyone else, meaning you
probably shouldn’t use this method for sharing sensitive information. Open Dropbox.com and log in, if you haven't already. Head to the file you'd like to create a link for and hover over it until you see the Share button.In Your Browser
The sharing pop-up will open; click Create a link at bottom-right.
You've now created a link to the file, which you can copy by clicking Copy link.
By default anyone with the link can view the file; Click Link Settings to tweak that setting.
From here you can limit who can see the file, set an expiration date, and disable downloads. Note that these features are only available to Dropbox Professional users.
On Your Computer
Getting a Dropbox link on your computer couldn't be easier: Right-click the file, then click Copy Dropbox Link. Here's how that looks on a Mac:
And here's how it looks on Windows:
A link for the file will be created and instantly sent to your clipboard, meaning you can paste it in an email, IM, or anywhere else.
Note that settings for the file can't be configured from here; Instead, click View on Dropbox to open the file in your browser. You can change settings for the file from there.
On Your Phone or Tablet
Browse to the file or folder you'd like to share, then click the ... to the right of that file. You'll see a number of options; Tap Share. Next tap Create a link. Here's how this all looks on Android:
You will be asked which application you'd like to share the link using, or you could copy the link to your clipboard and paste it wherever you want.
What to automate this process? You can to automatically create a shareable Dropbox link whenever a file is uploaded, then send it to 1000+ apps.
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You can share a link to a copy of your file right from the Dropbox badge, even as you're working.
Not using Dropbox yet? See how Dropbox helps you effortlessly share files and folders.
To share a link to a copy of your file:
- Click on the Dropbox badge.
- From the pop-out window, click Copy Link to Clipboard.
The link will be copied, and you can immediately paste it into emails, instant messages, blog posts, or wherever you'd like people to access the file copy.
Links created from the Dropbox badge are not password protected and do not have an expiration. Dropbox Business and Dropbox Professional users can open the link they've created from the Dropbox badge and can set a password or set an expiration date for the link.
You can remove a link at any time. To remove a link:
- Sign in to dropbox.com.
- Click All files in the left sidebar.
- Hover over the name of the file or folder you’re having issues with and click the share icon (rectangle with up arrow).
- Click Settings or the gear icon in the top right.
- Click either Link for editing or Link for viewing depending on which link you would like to remove.
- Click Delete link.