You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.
Forum Discussion
Create a form to upload file to Dropbox file request folder
I am completely new to API development having only limited coding experience. My goal is to create a form that allows the user to upload a file to a Dropbox file request folder. If Dropbox file request allowed you to enter text along with uploading a file, then I wouldn't have this need.
How do I tell the form where to upload the file? Also wondering the best way to store the data captured in the form.
- Greg-DB
Dropbox Staff
The Dropbox API doesn't offer a way to programmatically upload to file requests, but I'll pass this along as a feature request.
You can use the Dropbox API to upload directly to a folder though, as long as your app is authorized to access the account. To upload programmatically, you can use /2/files/upload:
https://www.dropbox.com/developers/documentation/http/documentation#files-upload
That accepts the full path for where you want to put the uploaded file.
That's a link the documentation for the HTTPS endpoints themselves, but we recommend using one of the official SDKs if possible:
https://www.dropbox.com/developers/documentation
Those have corresponding native methods for the HTTPS endpoints.
I can't offer general data storage advice outside of using the Dropbox API though, and the "best way" would depend on the needs of your app anyway.Thanks Greg.
The goal is to have users upload jpgs via a form where those jpg files would be stored in my Dropbox along with a text file to correspond with the jpg.
My coding knowledge is at a beginner stage. Having never used the API, I think this is a bit advanced for my current state of knowledge. Even reading the documentation assumes a level of understanding to know what you're reading.
one thing that i am confused about is that we need to upload file to our server first and then upload to dropbox folder, in case we are using a form and user provides a file via file input using file browse dialog. Then first we will upload the file to our server and then upload to dropbox if i am not wrong about it. there isnt any other way to bypass uploading to our server frist.
- Greg-DB
buttflattery While Dropbox API still doesn't offer a way to programmatically upload to file requests, if you can run JavaScript in the browser, you could avoid uploading the file to your own server first, by uploading the file to Dropbox directly from the browser.
For instance, you can make the /2/files/upload call directly from the browser, as long as you have the access token client-side.
Or, even without having the access token client-side, you can have the server call /2/files/get_temporary_upload_link to get a temporary upload link, and then send that link to the client. The client can then upload directly to Dropbox via that link.
About Dropbox API Support & Feedback
Find help with the Dropbox API from other developers.
