Files.com can connect to Dropbox as a remote server using a Remote Server Mount or a Sync. It can be used to migrate data out of Dropbox into Files.com, exchange files with a counterparty's Dropbox, and connect with an internal Dropbox that your own business processes depend on.

A finance team can run a scheduled Sync to pull a client archive off Dropbox in batches while the team keeps working in Dropbox until cutover. A logistics company whose freight broker delivers shipment documents through Dropbox can mount that folder into Files.com and process the files alongside every other counterparty, with no change on the broker's side. A team whose internal processes are built around Dropbox can connect to it and work through Files.com without disrupting those processes.

Dropbox is designed for end-user file sync, personal sharing, and corporate team sharing. For storing data long-term, native Files.com storage or dedicated cloud storage (S3, Azure Blob, Google Cloud Storage) is more dependable, so use the Dropbox integration when the data genuinely needs to stay in Dropbox, not as a default storage backend.

Working with Dropbox

Dropbox has limitations in its integration capabilities, so Files.com has built additional features to improve connectivity.

Dropbox throttles inbound connections from external systems, so Files.com automatically enables Buffered Uploads for Dropbox remote servers. Users upload to Files.com at full speed, and Files.com forwards each file to Dropbox in the background at whatever rate Dropbox accepts.

Dropbox uses OAuth for authentication, so the connection needs periodic re-authentication. When due, Files.com records the event in the External Events log and shows an alert in the web interface; following that alert re-establishes the connection right away. The re-authentication period varies: Dropbox's default web session is 4 hours, but a Dropbox administrator can configure a longer duration.

Case Sensitivity

Dropbox is case insensitive. When syncing between Dropbox and a case-sensitive system, files and folders whose names differ only in capitalization are treated as the same item, and folder contents can merge. A consistent naming convention across both systems is the reliable way to avoid this.

File Name and Type Restrictions

Dropbox restricts certain characters in file and folder names and does not accept certain file types. When a file cannot be transferred to Dropbox, Files.com records the event in the Sync logs and the External Events log and continues transferring the remaining files. To prevent these, configure include/exclude patterns in your Sync to exclude file names and types that Dropbox does not accept before the transfer begins.

Add Dropbox as a Remote Server

When adding Dropbox, you'll be redirected to the Dropbox login page to authenticate and connect Files.com with Dropbox.

If you are already logged into Dropbox then you will bypass the Dropbox login page.

Once your Remote Server is added, integrate it with Files.com as either a Remote Server Mount or a Sync.

The Dropbox account must be active and accessible for mounts and syncs to function. If Dropbox becomes unreachable, Files.com records the event in the External Events log and pauses operations against the remote server. Check your Dropbox account status and re-authorize the connection if prompted to restore access.

Dropbox Teams

If you are using Dropbox Team folders, select the corresponding Dropbox Teams option.

To connect as your personal Dropbox account, select the Dropbox Personal/Teams: Connect as my personal user option.

To connect as the administrator of a Dropbox Business account, which makes your Dropbox Team folders available, select the Dropbox Business Teams: Connect to the root level of the team and expose all team folders option.