here's how to use dropbox
use the clickable sections below to skip
through different parts of this tutorial
for this tutorial we'll use the desktop
version to start
it's also available on mobile first
sign up on dropbox.com
dropbox offers a free service of up to
two gigabytes of storage
but you can upgrade to a paid plan for
more storage later
click download dropbox and install the
program on your computer
an installation window will appear click
next
to continue setting up choose make files
local
from the options to continue using the
free version
and then click continue with basic
it may now give you the option to use
dropbox to back up your computer
dropbox will now open as a folder on
your computer
if you're using mac it'll appear as a
folder in your finder
and has an icon at the top of your
screen here
if you're on a windows computer it'll
appear on
my computer now you can start saving and
syncing files to dropbox
to upload a file via the web browser
click on the dropbox icon at the top of
the screen
and then select the web browser icon
from the drop down
on the right hand side click on upload
files
find the file you want to upload and
then click open
and then upload you'll see it appear in
the browser under all files
this file has now also synced
automatically onto your local dropbox
folder
open it up by going to the finder
and in dropbox you'll see the file
let's delete this file on the desktop
and you'll see it's now been deleted on
the server too
if you've downloaded dropbox on your
mobile or any other devices
files will also be synchronized there as
soon as they're connected to the
internet
you can also save files to your local
dropbox folder
and it'll upload them to the dropbox
server when it's uploading you'll see an
upload icon appear on the file when the
upload is completed
a green check mark will appear here
if you update or change any of your
files they'll also be updated on the
server
and your other devices automatically
you can use dropbox links to send files
and folders
instead of sending large attachments to
share a file
open the dropbox web cloud by clicking
on the dropbox icon
at the top of your screen and then the
internet icon from the drop down
double click on the file you want to
share
in the top right corner select the share
icon
it may ask you to verify your email if
you're using dropbox for the first time
click share and a pop-up window will
appear
type in the email address of the person
you want to share the file with here
and then add a message for them below
click share file to complete the action
they'll receive an email with a link to
view file
the file will appear in their web
browser to download it
they can click on open at the top right
corner and they'll have the option to
download from the drop down
you can also share files from your local
dropbox folder
by right-clicking on the file or folder
and selecting
share you can also share by choosing
copy dropbox link
and sending them a web link
you can add comments to files on dropbox
and share with others
open the dropbox web browser and open
the file you want to comment on
on the right hand side type a comment
here
anyone you share the file with will also
be able to see the comments
and add their own
organize your files on dropbox by using
folders
from the dropbox web browser go to the
all files tab
and select new folder from the right
hand side
drag and drop the files to add them to
your folder
you can create folders and share
everything inside them with others
click new shared folder and then i'd
like to create and share a new folder
click next choose a name for the folder
where it says
folder name type in the email address of
the person you want to share the folder
with
you can choose whether they can amend
the document or just view it here
and share they'll receive an email with
a link to open the folder
if you add files to it in the future
anyone that you have shared the folder
with
will be able to see them
you could change who sees your dropbox
files after they've been shared
as long as you're the owner of the file
or folder
first open the dropbox web server
find the file or folder you want to
review the settings for
and then hover over it with your cursor
click on the share button a pop-up
window will appear
underneath the name of the document
click on the number of people who have
access
you'll see yourself listed as the owner
if you've created the file or folder
anyone else you've shared the document
or folder with will be listed below
click on the drop down arrow next to
their name and can edit
or can view and then click remove
the documents will no longer be shared
with them