Getting started with Dropbox Replay

What is Dropbox Replay?

Dropbox Replay is a rich media review and approval tool that allows collaborators to mark up, comment, and finalize video, image, and audio projects.

A limited version of Replay is available to all customers with a Dropbox account or team account, but the Dropbox Replay Add-On, which includes premium security and collaboration features, is only available for purchase for users with Plus, Pro, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise plans. Basic users can upgrade their Dropbox plan to get the Replay Add-On.

Try Dropbox Replay.

Looking for more information? Watch our Dropbox Replay video tutorial.

How to add and manage files in Dropbox Replay

To add files to Dropbox Replay:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.

2. Click the grid icon in the top-left corner.

3. Click Replay from the menu that appears.

   • Note: Dropbox Replay will open in a new tab.

4. Click Add files in the top-right corner.

5. Click Add from Dropbox, Upload, or Google Drive.

6. Choose the file you'd like to add.

7. Click Add or Open. 

Once the upload is complete, a thumbnail of your file will appear under Your work. 

Note: Dropbox Replay files are stored in your Dropbox account. If you have a large file or project you’d like to upload to Replay, make sure you have enough available storage space.

How to create a new version of a file in Dropbox Replay

To create a new version of a file:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.

2. Click the grid icon in the top-left corner.

3. Click Replay from the menu that appears.

   • Note: Dropbox Replay will open in a new tab.

4. Hover over the thumbnail of the file you’d like to share.

5. Click “…”(ellipsis) at the end of the row or in the top-right corner.

6. Hover over New version.

7. Click Add from Dropbox, Upload, or Google Drive.

8. Choose the file you'd like to add.

9. Click Add or Open.

Once the upload is complete, your file will refresh and the number of file versions will appear in the Versions dropdown (Example:V2).

Manage files and get feedback

How to add comments

You can give collaborators permission to add comments on video, image, or audio files. Comments can also be added to audio or video files during a live review session.

1. Log in to dropbox.com.

2. Click the grid icon in the top-left corner.

3. Click Replay from the menu that appears.

   • Note: Dropbox Replay will open in a new tab.

4. Open the file you’d like to comment on by clicking on the thumbnail.

5. Drag the playhead or click on the timeline where you’d like to post a comment.

6. Type your comment in the text field at the bottom.

7. Click Post.

You’ll see your comment appear on the timeline at the timeframe you selected. You can also reply to comments by clicking Reply, edit comments by clicking “⁝” (vertical ellipsis) and then Edit, or resolve comments by clicking the circle icon next to a comment.

How to add quick reactions

You can comment with quick reactions when viewing audio and video files in Dropbox Replay. These are emoji reactions with a pre-filled out text comment for specific frames. Collaborators don’t need to type a comment or have a Dropbox account to use quick reactions. 

1. Log in to dropbox.com.

2. Click the grid icon in the top-left corner.

3. Click Replay from the menu that appears.

   • Note: Dropbox Replay will open in a new tab.

4. Open the file you’d like to comment on.

5. Click on the specific place in the timeline you’d like to comment on.

6. On the right side of the comment box, under One-click Reactions, select a quick reaction comment. 

   • Note: To delete a quick reaction, hover over your reaction emoji on the timeline and click Delete.

Note: Quick reactions show up on the timeline, but won’t appear in the comment log on the right.

How to comment on a range of time

Collaborators can comment over a range of time in a video or audio file. 

1. Log in to dropbox.com.

2. Click the grid icon in the top-left corner.

3. Click Replay from the menu that appears.

   • Note: Dropbox Replay will open in a new tab.

4. Open the file you’d like to comment on.

5. Click on the timeline to indicate the beginning of the clip you’d like to comment on.

6. Click in the comment box.

7. Hold shift and drag the playhead to the point where you’d like your comment to end.

8. Type your comment in the comment box.

9. Click Post.
   

You’ll see your comment appear on the timeline for the range you selected.

Note: You cannot change this range once the comment is posted and it does not carry over the annotations on screen for that whole range.

How to draw on an image or video

If you’re reviewing an image or video, you can draw directly on the image or video and post your drawings as comments. Drawing is only available for image and video files.

1. Click the name or thumbnail to open your file for drawing.

2. Video only: Drag the playhead or click on the timeline where you’d like to add a drawing.

3. Hover over the image or video where you’d like to draw.

   • Your cursor will become a pencil icon.

4. Hold and drag your cursor to start drawing.

5. Click the airplane icon to post your drawing as a comment.

   • You can also undo your last drawing action by clicking the reverse arrow icon, delete your drawing by clicking the trashcan icon, select a different color by clicking the color wheel icon, or change the stroke width by clicking the line icon. 

Note: You can comment on your drawing by clicking in the comment box at the bottom, and then click Post.

Once you post your drawing, you’ll see a new comment appear at the specified timeframe on the timeline. The comment will be annotated with a pencil icon in the Comments section to signify that it’s a drawing.

Share a file

How to share files in Dropbox Replay

To share a video, image, or audio file in Dropbox Replay:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.

2. Click the grid icon in the top-left corner.

3. Click Replay from the menu that appears.

   • Note: Dropbox Replay will open in a new tab.

4. Hover over the thumbnail or in the row of the file you’d like to share.

5. Click “…” (ellipsis) in the top-right corner.

6. Click Share from the menu that appears.

   • Note: You can change file permissions from the Your links tab in the Dropbox Replay Add-On.

7. Select recipient access: 

   • View and comment: Collaborators can view the file and comments, and can add comments of their own.

   • View only: Collaborators can view the file, but can’t see or add comments.

   • Note: Click the gear icon to require a password, enable downloads, or enable link access.

8. Click Send or Copy link.

9. Paste the link where you’d like to share it.

Note: Links to files will display the title of the file as well as a thumbnail preview and a short description of Dropbox Replay.

How to share projects in Dropbox Replay

To share a project folder in Dropbox Replay:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.

2. Click the grid icon in the top-left corner.

3. Click Replay from the menu that appears.

   • Note: Dropbox Replay will open in a new tab.

4. Hover over the thumbnail or in the row of the folder you’d like to share.

5. Click “…”(ellipsis) in the top-right corner.

6. Click Add people from the menu that appears.

7. Enter the emails of the people you’d like to add.
   Notes:

   • Adding users to a project gives them control over the whole project and everything in it. 

   • You can only add a user to your project via email. 

8. Add a message, if you’d like.

9. Choose Edit or View and comment, depending on the permissions you’d like to grant.

10. Click Add.

Your collaborator will receive an email invitation to open your project. If you’d like to collaborate on a project in real time, start a live review session instead. How to use Live review in Dropbox Replay.

Projects

How to create and manage projects in Dropbox Replay

To create a project:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.

2. Click the grid icon in the top-left corner.

3. Click Replay from the menu that appears.

   • Note: Dropbox Replay will open in a new tab.

4. Click Create project.

5. Enter a project name in the box.

6. Click Create.

How to add files to a project in Dropbox Replay

To add files to a project:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.

2. Click the grid icon in the top-left corner.

3. Click Replay from the menu that appears.

   • Note: Dropbox Replay will open in a new tab.

4. Open the project you want to add files to.

5. Click Drag your files or click here.

6. Select Add from Dropbox,Upload, or Google Drive.

7. Choose the file you’d like to add.

8. Click Add or Open. 

Once the upload is complete, a thumbnail of your file will appear in the project folder.