Dropbox is a cloud storage and collaboration platform that synchronizes files across devices, enables team collaboration, and provides secure file sharing and backup solutions. Originally launched in 2007 as a simple file sync service, Dropbox has evolved into a comprehensive workspace platform integrating features like e-signatures (Dropbox Sign), video review (Dropbox Replay), collaborative documents (Paper), screen recording (Capture), and AI-powered search (Dash). Understanding the distinction between sync (keeping files mirrored across devices) and backup (protecting specific folders in the cloud), as well as mastering selective sync and online-only files, is essential for managing storage efficiently—especially when working with large media files or limited local disk space.
What This Cheat Sheet Covers
This topic spans 15 focused tables and 116 indexed concepts. Below is a complete table-by-table outline of this topic, spanning foundational concepts through advanced details.
Table 1: Sync and Storage Management
Control how files synchronize between your devices and the cloud, manage local disk space, and optimize sync performance for your workflow.
| Feature | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
Right-click Dropbox icon → Preferences → Sync tab → Selective Sync → uncheck folders | • Removes chosen folders from your hard drive while keeping them in the cloud • unchecked folders won't appear in File Explorer/Finder | |
Right-click file/folder → Smart sync → Online-only | • Files remain visible in your Dropbox folder with a cloud icon but don't consume local disk space • opened files download on-demand | |
Right-click file/folder → Smart sync → Local | • Makes files available offline by storing them fully on your hard drive • changes sync automatically when online | |
Click Dropbox icon → Pause syncing → choose duration (30 min, 1 hour, indefinitely) | • Temporarily stops file syncing to save bandwidth or reduce CPU usage • changes made during pause will sync when resumed |