Can I upload from a external Hard drive straight to drop box

[MissRay]

Can I upload from a external Hard drive straight to drop box? It’s plugged into the computer and I can see the files when I look at it but when I try to upload to Dropbox it says there are no files there? I don’t have the space to transfer to computer and then upload so not sure where to go from here as I need all those files in my drop box

[Rich · Accepted solution]

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@MissRay wrote:
Can I upload from a external Hard drive straight to drop box? ... I don’t have the space to transfer to computer and then upload

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The only way to upload directly to Dropbox and bypass the Dropbox folder on your computer is to use the Dropbox website to upload. If you first create a folder and then remove it from your computer using Selective Sync, the items you upload to that folder will not sync back to your computer.

[TS83]

hello, Im trying to get what seems to be simple answers for someone who is not tech savvy. I have over 5K photos on my MacBook that are taking up all my storage, I'm unable to download the latest software update. If I upload all my computers photos to dropbox, are they safe there?? The second part of my question would be if I do Upload them to drop box on my computer, Is that continuing to take up the same amount of storage space? this stuff makes no sense to me, hoping this is not the same concept of iCloud that has been extremely unhelpful.  Thank you

[Megan]

Hi @TS83, I'd be happy to answer this one for you! 

In regards to your first answer, the short answer is yes, your files will be safe. Here is a relevant Help Center article, that might help you.

Now in regards to your second question: if you're using our desktop app, you'd need enough hard drive space, in order to move your content to your Dropbox folder. Essentially your Dropbox folder and its content, count against your hard drive space.

You could always use selective sync once you've moved your files there. 

Let me know if you need anything else. 

[AAAAZ]

Hi MissRay,

According to the Dropbox: https://help.dropbox.com/organize/how-to-use-dropbox-backup, you could backup external hard drive to Dropbox automatically once you agree to back it up when connect the external hard drive.

And it will show a pop up window, choose Back up button, and it will back the entire external hard drive to Dropbox.