How to Use Dropbox to be Even More Productive

Ah, the mighty power of the cloud.

Since it was released in 2008, Dropbox – a cloud-based storage utility – has become increasingly popular. In its simplest form, Dropbox is a tool that allows users to sync their files across their devices.

For example, let’s say you’re in the middle of working on your couch when all of a sudden you notice the time and realize you have to catch a train to the city in 10 minutes. Luckily, you live right next to the station – it’s within walking distance. However, your laptop wasn’t plugged in when you were working, so the battery is almost dead.

The good news is that you use Dropbox, so all your files are automatically backed up in the cloud – since you’ve configured the settings that way. You grab your tablet and run out the door. Once you make your train, you grab a seat and continue where you left off.

Dropbox for Advanced Users

There’s the basic primer. Most likely you’ve heard of Dropbox by now and are familiar with what it does. Still, there’s a good chance that even if you’re familiar with the service and use it regularly, there are a ton of features and functionalities Dropbox offers that you might not be aware of.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at four advanced ways you can use Dropbox to be even more productive:

1. Copy Your Personal Documentation and Store It on Dropbox

Ever spend like 17 hours trying to track down your birth certificate, passport or some other kind of documentation you mostly forgot even existed? The worst. Once you track down all of your important personal documents, you should consider scanning them and then storing them on Dropbox. That way, when you’re inevitably required to reproduce said documents, you know precisely where they’ll be.

2. Print Documents at Your Home When You’re Not There

Becoming the most productive version of yourself is all about figuring out what kinds of shortcuts are available to you and then taking advantage of them. You can use Dropbox to print things on your home printer even if you’re not home – you just need a script that recognizes files that are added to the service and prints them automatically. If you have to print a bunch of copies for a presentation tomorrow, you can get started right away.

3. Make Dropbox Your My Documents Folder

You need to either configure your Dropbox account to automatically sync your files, or you need to initiate that process manually. To make sure that you’re always able to access the files you need on any device that’s handy, you could consider making Dropbox your My Documents folder. In doing so, all of your files will automatically be backed up to the cloud, and you won’t have to worry about being unable to access the materials you need the moment you need them.

4. Store the Files You’re Working on in Dropbox ‑ Not Your Desktop

If you’re like most other professionals, there’s a good chance you store files for the projects you’re working on right on your desktop so you’re able to easily access them when you use your computer. Unfortunately, work has evolved, and many of us don’t use only our computers to get work done – we have phones and tablets, too. By switching up the way you do things and storing your active files in Dropbox, you’ll always be able to access them, which should boost your productivity at least a bit.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, it can be hard to find the time to pay adequate attention to everything that’s demanded of you.

The good news is that by making use of modern productivity tools like Dropbox – and really playing around with them to see exactly how much value you can extra from them – work becomes considerably easier.

How do you use Dropbox to be more productive? Share your tips in the comments section below!

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