How to share a folder in Dropbox without giving access to all your files

To share a folder on Dropbox, select the specific content and decide who should receive it and what they can do with it. Do not give out your password for someone else to view a document: organize access from the sharing options.

There are two ways to distinguish: directly inviting people and sending a link. Also, "read-only" does not mean "no download."

Before sharing, check what the folder contains

Prepare a folder with the material you really want to deliver. As a precaution, also check its subfolders and avoid including personal documents that are not part of what you are going to share.

For example, if you want to send photos from a trip, select that material instead of using a general folder where you also keep private documentation. It's an organizational recommendation: the permission should match the content and the recipients you have chosen.

How to invite people from the Dropbox website

On dropbox.com you can share a file or folder by using Share, Add users, choosing recipients, and selecting Can edit or Can view.

Follow these steps from the web:

1. Log in to your account and locate the file or folder.
2. Open Share and select Add users.
3. Choose the recipients who should have access.
4. Select Can edit or Can view according to the intended use.
5. Review the selection before confirming that you want to share.

To follow this process, use the web version of Dropbox.

What is the difference between reading and editing

Reading: viewing does not mean preventing copies

A reader can view, download, share, and comment on files in a shared folder, but cannot add, edit, or delete them.

Choose reading when you want someone to view the material without modifying the shared content. Do not use it as a guarantee that they will not be able to download or share it.

Editing: for those who need to work in the folder

An editor can add, edit, download, share, or delete files in a shared folder.

Before granting this permission, consider whether the person needs to modify the content or just review it. For example, to deliver a finished document, reading may suffice; to work together on materials, consider editing and agree on how to organize the changes.

When to use a read-only link

A read-only link allows viewing and downloading a file or folder even if the recipient does not have a Dropbox account.

It can be an option to deliver material to someone who only needs to view it. Check that the link corresponds to the correct file or folder and that the selected access is what you are looking for. Do not assume that any copied link retains the settings you had in mind.

How to create the read-only link on dropbox.com

This process corresponds to the web version:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Hover over the file or folder you want to share and click Share.
3. Click Copy link.
4. Click Manage.
5. Select Link for viewing.
6. Click Copy link.

A restricted link does not replace the review of permissions

The restrictions of a shared link do not change the permissions of people added directly or who already have access.

Therefore, if you want to review who can work in a folder, do not just check the link you just sent. Also review the direct accesses. They are different ways and it is advisable to verify them separately.

Final checklist before sending the content

• Have you chosen the specific folder, instead of a general folder?
• Have you reviewed the material it contains?
• Does the recipient need to edit or just view?
• Are you clear that reading allows downloading?
• Have you checked both the links and the direct accesses?

If your next question is how to organize a subscription, you can check the information about Dropbox Family on Sharingful. Evaluating a group is a different matter from choosing folder permissions: you do not need to turn this tutorial into a purchasing decision.