How To Create A Link On Dropbox

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.

In Your Browser

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.

Dropbox sharing

The sharing pop-up will open; click Create a link at bottom-right.

Dropbox create link

You've now created a link to the file, which you can copy by clicking Copy link.

Dropbox copy link

By default anyone with the link can view the file; Click Link Settings to tweak that setting.

Dropbox link settings

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:

Dropbox copy link

And here's how it looks on Windows:

Dropbox copy link 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:

Dropbox copy link 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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Justin Pot

Justin Pot is a staff writer at Zapier based in Hillsboro, Oregon. He loves technology, people, and nature, not necessarily in that order. You can follow Justin on Twitter: @jhpot. You don't have to. But you can.