Create and upload
10 minute read
How to create a file
Creating new files in Dropbox is simple across all your devices. No matter how you begin your file saves to one place and syncs in the background, so the latest version is ready on the web, on your computer, and on your phone wherever you go.
On the Dropbox website
On dropbox.com, start in the folder where you want the file, then select New (+) next to the search bar. From the menu, choose Create, hover over Document to see the available file types, and pick the one you need, such as a document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
Note: You may be asked to name the file and confirm the location before your file is created. Your new file opens in the relevant program, saves to Dropbox, and stays in sync across your devices.
On the desktop app (Windows or Mac)
Open the app you normally use to create files (for example, Word or Excel), then name the file and save it straight to your Dropbox folder. The desktop app syncs in the background, and you can check progress from the Dropbox icon in your taskbar or menu bar. When syncing finishes, the file appears on dropbox.com, on your other computers, and in the mobile app.
On the mobile app (iOS or Android)
Similar to creating a file on desktop, you can simply open the app you normally use to create files (for example, Word or Excel), then name the file and save it straight to your Dropbox folder. Pick a folder, rename the file if you need to, and confirm. You can also start in the Dropbox app by tapping +, choosing an option your device supports, naming the file, and saving to a folder. The upload runs in the background, and the file is ready on your phone, on the web, and in your Dropbox folder on desktop.
How to create folders
Folders keep your work organized and easy to share. You can create them on the web, on your computer, or in the mobile app, and they’ll sync in the background so the same folder shows up on all your devices.
On dropbox.com
You can create a folder in your Dropbox account from the top-level of your account, or you can simply navigate to the place where you want the folder, then select New (+) next to the search bar. Choose Create, select Folder and give it a name.
Then select who’ll have access to your folder: Only you or Only specific people.
If you select Only specific people, type emails, names, or groups you want to share your folder with, and select Can edit or Can view from the dropdown.
The new folder appears immediately and stays in sync across your devices.
On the desktop app (Windows or Mac)
Open your Dropbox folder in File Explorer or Finder, then create a folder the way you normally do on your computer. Use New folder, name it, and press Enter. The desktop app uploads it in the background, and you’ll see the folder on dropbox.com and on your other devices.
On the mobile app (iOS or Android)
In the Dropbox app, go to the location you want, tap +, then tap Create folder. Enter a name, choose the destination if prompted, and tap Create. The folder syncs right away and is ready to use on the web and desktop.
Want to see how easy it is to create a folder? The next demo will walk you through it.
How to upload files and folders to your Dropbox account
Adding content to Dropbox is straightforward on every device. You can upload from the web, move items into your Dropbox folder on your computer, or use the mobile app to upload files from your phone or tablet. Drag and drop works where it’s available, and everything syncs in the background so your files are ready on your other devices.
How to upload files and folders on dropbox.com
Upload with the menu:
Open the folder where you want the content to live.
Select Upload then Files or Folder.
Choose the items on your computer, then select Open or Upload to start.
Keep the browser tab open until the upload finishes.
Drag and drop:
Open the destination folder in your browser.
Drag files or folders from your computer into the page until you see the drop area, then release.
Wait for the progress indicator to finish before closing the tab.
How to upload files and folders on the desktop app (Windows or Mac)
Add by moving or saving:
Open your Dropbox folder in File Explorer or Finder.
Drag files or folders into the place you want them, or in your authoring app choose File > Save As, select your Dropbox folder, pick a destination, and select Save.
The desktop app uploads in the background. You can check progress from the
Dropbox icon in your taskbar or menu bar.
Drag and drop:
Drag and drop into the Dropbox folder as you normally would. When the sync checkmark appears, your files are available on dropbox.com and your other devices.
How to upload files and folder on the mobile app (iOS or Android)
Upload from your device:
Open the Dropbox app and go to the destination folder.
Tap +, then Upload files, Upload folder or Upload photos, then choose items from your device.
Confirm to start the upload, and keep the app open until it completes.
Share from another app:
In the app where your file lives, use Share or Export, choose Dropbox, pick a folder, and confirm. The file uploads to your account and syncs to your other devices.
File upload limits
Most files you use every day can live in Dropbox. You can add documents, photos, videos, and more, as long as each file fits the upload limits and your available storage.
On dropbox.com and in the mobile app, a single file can be up to 350 GB.
In the desktop app, a single file can be up to 2 TB.
If you’re over quota, syncing pauses until you free up space or upgrade.
Tips for smooth syncing
A few tips can help avoid sync issues, especially when working with large or complex files:
Some file types aren’t designed to sync(for example, symlinks or shortcut files), so it’s best to keep those outside Dropbox.
Use short, simple file and folder names, and avoid special characters.
For very large uploads, the desktop app is often more reliable, since it runs in the background while you work.
How to scan documents from the Dropbox mobile app
Imagine you’ve just signed a form at the doctor’s office or finished a client meeting and need a clean copy for your records. Open the Dropbox app, scan the page with your phone, and save it straight to the right folder so it’s easy to find later. If you’re freelancing, do the same with invoices, receipts, or contracts and keep everything with the rest of the project files. On some plans, optical character recognition (OCR) also makes the text in your scans searchable, so you can find a document by a name, date, or amount.
How to scan a new document
Open the Dropbox app, tap +, then tap Scan document. Point your camera at the page and take the picture. To add more pages, tap Add page. When you are ready, tap Next, choose your save settings, then tap Save to store the scan in your folder.
Convert an image to a scan
If the page is already a photo on your phone, open the Dropbox app, tap … next to the image, then tap Save as scan. You can crop, rotate, or apply a filter, then tap Next and Save. Single-page scans can be saved as .pdf or .png. Multi-page scans are saved as .pdf.
Tips for a better scan
Make sure the document is flat and not crumpled.
Check the lighting. Avoid glare, reflections, and strong shadows.
Hold your device directly above the page, and keep it steady.
Fill the frame so you include only what you want to scan.
Edit and organize before you save
After you capture a page, use Edit to crop, rotate, or apply a black and white or whiteboard filter. Use Arrange to reorder pages or remove one you do not need. These quick edits help you create a clean, readable file you can share or keep for your records.
In this module, you’ve created folders, uploaded files from web, desktop, and mobile, and turned paper documents into digital files in Dropbox. In the next module, you’ll focus on keeping everything tidy by sorting, organizing, and using tools like Quick access, tags, and automations.