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Forum Discussion
How to share a Dropbox File or Folder with a Short URL
I would like to make some files stored in my Dropbox, downloadable from a web page. For this reason, I would like to be able to create Short URL's for each file. I have read the following tutorial but it seems to be old: http://www.ampercent.com/link-to-dropbox-files-folders-short-url/6215/
Could you advise me please?
Thanks.
Hi Susan
What you could do is hit 'share' on your desired folder/files and then copy the long link into a URL shortener (any 3rd party shortener you currently use like http://bit.ly or http://tinyurl.com).
Hope it helps!
A workaround I use is to share the folder with a password and expiration date on the link, then use bit.ly to shorten the enormously long link. I have Dropbox for Business. Not sure if passwords work anywhere else.
Dear Dropbox: You clearly already have a shortened link process somewhere in your vast resources (we can do it on the phone). Can you please roll it out to dropbox at the computer?
I wouldn't think it twice to upgrade my account to "Pro" if they offered with it official Dropbox shortened URL's. (Just saying ;) )
Agree, there should be a way to get a short URL right here on Dropbox.
It's quite frustrating that they removed the short links. It was so helpful. Links are shared over text, IM, etc. We cant always hyperlink something or just paste long links everywhere. You can use the bitly browser extension (bitly.com/a/tools) to get around this. The lack of this feature is just not ok for a company as mature as Dropbox.
Many people like myself use DropBox for secure storage within their business and have sensitivities around a third-party hosting their URL, as they have traditionally been a vector for leaks. For DropBox to have their own URL shortener just makes sense.
There is a short link when i use dropbox on my cellphone and select share with textmail... It goes like https://db.tt/... Then copy and paste... But that's an annoying workaround!
I get the feeling that almost everyone here is referencing/talking bout Dropbox the web version. I use the downloaded version of Dropbox on my computer. It looks like a folder on your computer:
I share a ton of Dropbox files because I'm a recruiter and I always send a link to a candidate's resume to the client before the interview.
Current Steps I have to take are:
- Find the file in one of the folders
- Right click the file
- From the short cut menu that comes up, select "Copy Dropbox Link" (see image below)
- That copies the loooooong dropbox url name for the file into my computer memory
- Open up bit.ly
- Paste in the long url - bit.ly shortens it to something like raegan.cc/AcX5lp
- I then select the "customize url" in bit.ly so it looks like raegan.cc/janesresumepdf (example)
___________________
Way too many steps.
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FEATURE REQUEST TO DROPBOX ****************
To be able to shorten the long Dropbox URL right from the file while in my Dropbox folder on my computer.
IDEA: Dropbox, in addition to having the option, "Copy Dropbox Link" have and option called "Shorten Dropbox Link" -
_________________
Partner with bit.ly.
_________________
Here's why: For starters, it's the #1 URL shortener and it has a feature customers use where we can create our own bit.ly branded url domain.
I have a bit.ly branded shorten domain name in bitly.ly called raegan.cc so when I shorten a a URL to send out FROM bit.ly it goes out like this "raegan.cc/janesresumepdf" or "raegan.cc/Auxo3b", etc.
But when I want to shorten the url for a Dropbox file (which is about 7 to 10 times a day), It takes 4 or 5 steps do to this.
Dropbox, would you consider partnering with bit.ly or creating some way to shorten your urls directly from Dropbox on the downloaded version? It wouldn't look spammy when people like me use a branded shortened url.
Thoughts everyone?
Dropbox, partner with bit.ly! I bet they would love to talk about it!
Raegan
- Ed
Dropbox Staff
Hi Susan
What you could do is hit 'share' on your desired folder/files and then copy the long link into a URL shortener (any 3rd party shortener you currently use like http://bit.ly or http://tinyurl.com).
Hope it helps!
- It is still there. At least I got it just 2 minutes ago. If you click on the "Share" button, you don't get it. But right click on the file itself, select "Copy Public Link" and the ensuing dialog has a "Shorten Link" option above the right side of the text box. Works for individual files, not for folders.
This really is insane they haven't fixed this yet.
It was a mistake to remove short URLs. Mistakes happen. Just put them back already.
Every time I share a link I think how I need to just ditch Dropbox already and move to one of (several) better solutions for this kind of thing... all because they won't just enable a feature they already built.
*facepalm*
