You can create Dropbox folders and share them automatically using Zapier. Zapier's Dropbox integration includes two actions for generating share links: Create Shared Link (to generate a view/download link for a file or folder), and Create File Request (to generate an upload link that lets anyone submit files to a specific Dropbox folder without needing a Dropbox account). Which action you need depends on what you want the recipient to be able to do.
Step-by-step guide
Method 1: Create a folder and generate a shared link for viewing or downloading
- Add a Dropbox action to your Zap. In the Zap editor, add a Dropbox action and choose Create Folder as the action event.
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Choose your Dropbox account. Select the Dropbox account you previously connected to Zapier, then click Continue. If you haven't connected a Dropbox account yet, click + Connect a new account and follow the prompts to authorize Zapier. Then click Continue.
- Set the folder name and path. In the Folder field, enter the path and name for the new folder. You can use dynamic values from earlier steps to personalize the folder name. You could use a customer name from a form submission or a project name from your CRM for example.
- Test the step. Click Test step to confirm the folder is created in Dropbox.
- Add a second Dropbox action. Click the + icon to add another action. Choose Dropbox and select Create Shared Link (works for sharing both files and folders).
- Choose your Dropbox account. Your previously selected Dropbox account should be automatically selected. If not, select it before clicking Continue.
- Map the folder path. In the Path field, map the Path field from the Create Folder step. Set Requested Visibility to Password if you want to set a specific password to access the file via that link, Public if you want anyone with the link to access it, or Team Only if you want to restrict it to your Dropbox team members.
- Use the shared link in subsequent steps. The action outputs a shared link URL. Map this to any subsequent step. For example you could send the link in an email, or post it in a Slack channel.
Method 2: Create an upload link so anyone can submit files to a Dropbox folder
- Add a Dropbox action. In the Zap editor, add a Dropbox action and choose Create File Request as the action event.
- Choose your Dropbox account. Select or connect your Dropbox account and click Continue.
- Set the title for the file request. In the Title field, enter a name for the request. This is what the recipient will see when they open the upload link. For example "Upload your documents here".
- Set the destination folder. In the Destination Folder field, enter the Dropbox folder path where uploaded files should be saved. You can combine this with a preceding Create Folder step to dynamically create a new folder per submission and send its path here.
- Optionally set a deadline. If you want the upload link to expire, enter a date in the Deadline field. Note: deadlines require a paid Dropbox plan.
- Test the step. Click Test step. Dropbox will generate a file request URL. Anyone with this link can upload files to the specified folder without needing a Dropbox account.
- Use the file request link in subsequent steps. Map the file request URL to any subsequent action.
Notes and limitations
- A paid Dropbox plan is required in order to use their app with Zapier.
- The Create Shared Link action generates a link for viewing or downloading content. Recipients cannot upload files through a shared link, for upload capability, use Create File Request instead.
- Create File Request generates a Dropbox File Request link. Recipients can upload files through this link without a Dropbox account. Files land in the folder you specify on your Dropbox account.
- Setting a deadline on a file request requires a paid Dropbox plan. The basic file request functionality (without a deadline) is available on free Dropbox plans.
FAQs
Q: How do I make a Dropbox folder public so anyone can upload to it?
A: Use the Create File Request action in Zapier's Dropbox integration. This generates a link that lets anyone upload files to a specific folder on your Dropbox account, without them needing a Dropbox account themselves.
Q: How do I share a Dropbox file or folder link in Zapier?
A: Use the Create Shared Link action. This generates a URL you can map to any subsequent step — email it, save it to a spreadsheet, post it to Slack, or include it in a notification.
Q: Can I create a new Dropbox folder and immediately get a shareable link in the same Zap?
A: Yes. Add a Create Folder action first, then add either a Create Shared Link or Create File Request action and map the folder path from the first step. The two actions can run in sequence in the same Zap.