You can do tasks like commenting on files or even request files from someone. These and other tasks can help you get the most out of Dropbox and use it like a pro. Some of these options are in plain sight, but you’ll need to dig a little deeper to find the others.
1. Request Files from Non-Dropbox Users
There will be times when the files you need to save on your Dropbox account are in someone else’s possession. If you ever need someone to send you files, Dropbox has an integrated feature for that. To request a file, click on the File option on the left, and the “File requests” option will be the third one down. After clicking on it, you’ll need to click on the blue “Create a file request” button.
When creating your file request, you’ll need to specify what files you’re requesting and what folder to save them in. If the name of the default folder is different from the one you had in mind, click on the blue “change folder” to switch folders.
The final step would be to either have Dropbox send the link to the person who has your files or you can copy and send the link yourself.
2. Preview Various File Formats
Dropbox allows you to preview your files such as PSD, PDF, BMP, JPG, and more. To preview a file, open it and place your cursor over the file you want to preview. An “open with” option will appear with a drop-down menu. You’ll need to click on it to choose how you want to preview your file.
3. Access Dropbox Files Offline
It sounds terrifying, but there will be times when you won’t have Internet access. Even if you can’t access the Web, you can still access your Dropbox files, thanks to the offline feature on your smartphone. You’ll need to mark the files you want to see offline. To do this, open the file you want to mark as offline by tapping on the three dots at the top-right. A menu will appear from the bottom of your display, swipe up, and the option to make the file available offline will be the last one down.
Once you toggle on the offline option, that particular file will have a green download symbol so you know what files are available offline.
4. Comment, Delete, Download, and Access Version History with One Click
To make things easier, you can either erase, download, comment or even access the file’s version history by clicking on the three dots to the right of the file. For example, if you want to comment, click on that option, and you’ll be able to preview the file.
At the top right, type your comment and even tag someone by clicking on the “@” symbol. If you have the primary Dropbox account, you’ll see zeros at the side of the comment box. This is a feature that allows you to comment on a specific time of a video file (this feature is only available for Dropbox Professional, Business Advanced, Enterprise, or Education accounts).
5. Permanently Delete Dropbox Files
Keep in mind that once you permanently delete a file, you can’t get it back unless you’re the owner of a shared folder. Dropbox makes you delete a file twice before it’s removed, just in case you change your mind. Go ahead and choose the files you want to delete, and click on the “Delete” option to the right. Once you’ve deleted the files, click on the “Deleted files” option to the left.
You’ll see a list of all the files you’ve deleted. Select the ones you want to delete permanently and even select a preferred date with the drop-down menus to the right. Once you’ve chosen which files to erase, click on the Permanently delete option to the right.
6. Rejoin Shared Folders
If you want back in a shared folder, all you have to do is click on the “Sharing” option on the left sidebar and then on the “Rejoin link” in blue to the right side. That’s it.
Conclusion
There are quite a few things you can do with a free Dropbox account. To find some of those features, you’ll need to dig a little deeper. What’s your favorite Dropbox tip? Image credit: DROPBOX IN 30 MINUTES
