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
Feedback to enhanced the sharing capabilities on Dropbox.
Feature Request: Enhanced Sharing Capabilities on Dropbox
1. Multiple Share Links with Independent Settings and Permissions
- Request: The ability to create separate share links for the same file/folder, each with unique permissions (e.g., view-only, comment-only, edit) and security settings (e.g., password protection, expiration dates).
- Why It’s Important: It’s common to share one file with different stakeholders who each require different levels of access. Separate links improve security and reduce confusion.
2. Send and Track Analytics for Shared Files
- Request: A feature that provides insights into how shared links are accessed—who’s viewing them, when, and how many times they’ve been viewed.
- Why It’s Important: Built-in analytics enable better tracking of engagement, making it easier to measure file reach and ensure important documents are actually seen.
3. Version Updates on Existing Send and Track Links
- Request: The ability to replace or update a file on an existing shared link (especially a “Send and Track” link) without having to issue a new link.
- Why It’s Important: Files often go through revisions; allowing in-place updates ensures recipients always have the most recent version, saving time and reducing the chance of outdated information circulating.
These enhancements would streamline workflows for Dropbox users, particularly those who frequently share files in professional or collaborative settings.
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hi there document-signing-cohive - thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on this with us.
When it comes to your first point, I wanted to mention that Dropbox is moving to an updated shared link architecture where links are based on content rather than on users. View-only and edit links are different. You‘re unable to change a view-only link into an edit link or vice versa. For the time being, to give different permissions to different people, perhaps you can have two copies of the same items (one for view-only permissions and one for edit ones).
In regards to your second point, have you considered using the Dropbox Transfer feature instead? Note that the Activity log on team accounts (available to team admins) might also help with what you had in mind.
As for your last point, you could share a link to a folder (where the files you'd be updating will be) instead.
I hope this helps a tad and please let us know if you have anything else to add.
PS: For future reference, note that you can use these tips to post your feature requests in the Ideas area.
Hi Walter - These are all exciting replies and I will use them, but I have a slightly different question. I have a directory in my dropbox of current R code which when I run generates a large number of reports. Sometimes when I am optimizing the code I run it repeatedly resulting an the production of additional temporary files (generally with the same names). It seems like a waste to go through this continuous update, delete, repeat (which slows down the computer it seems) but I don't see any way around it. Is there an approach I should be using for directories that may hold often temporary files? (Plus the question about "delete everywhere" everytime )? (maybe if I don't manually delete but just update the "delete everywhere" doesn't happen?)
- Megan
Hey Chris B.82, let me jump in here too!
Let me ask: are these temp files created in a specific folder?
I'm asking because if that's the case, then you could then use these steps, and choose for the folder to be ignored by Dropbox? Would that work for you?
Yes, It is a specific directory. I would love to be able to access it from other locations but I like your suggestion and it is a small price to pay.
I really don't know what a better suggestion could be other than allowing some directories to be synched only once a day, "at midnight"?
For some reason when I right click and get the dropbox context menu I don't see the synch option, but I am sure the powershell will work
