Search Files
dropbox.search_files
ActionFiles & storageconnection required
Calls the Dropbox API with the connection's credentials.
Search the account for files and folders by name, optionally within one folder and filtered by type.
Connection
- Required
- Yes — the node will not save without one
- Auth type
- Bearer token
- Providers
- Dropbox
- Secret shape
- the Dropbox access token
- Resolved by
- config.connection_id, else node.connection_id
Configuration
8 fields, 1 required. A dotted path is a nested object and name[] an array of objects — the editor renders the same tree.
| Field | Type | Required | Default | Constraints | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
query What to search for. Dropbox splits it on spaces and prefix-matches the last word. | string | Yes | — | — | quarterly report |
path Limit the search to this folder. Leave blank to search the whole account. | string | No | — | — | — |
max_results How many matches to return per page, 1 to 1000. Dropbox returns 100 when unset. | number | No | — | 1–1000 | — |
order_by Sort the matches by relevance or by when they last changed. Dropbox sorts by relevance when unset. | string | No | — | one of "relevance", "last_modified_time" | — |
file_status Search live files or deleted ones. Dropbox searches live files when unset. | string | No | — | one of "active", "deleted" | — |
filename_only Match on file names only, never on file contents. Defaults to false. | boolean | No | — | — | — |
file_extensions Only match these extensions, without the dot ('csv', 'pdf'). Live files only. | array | No | — | array of string | — |
file_categories Only match these Dropbox file categories. Live files only. | array | No | — | array of string | — |
Example configuration
Every value below is the contract’s own example or default — nothing invented.
{
"query": "quarterly report"
}Output
One shape.
result
| Field | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
matches The matches on this page, each with its metadata. | array | — |
cursor Pass this to dropbox.search_continue for more. | string | — |
has_more True when another page of matches is waiting. | boolean | — |
{
"cursor": "",
"has_more": false,
"matches": []
}Notes
- Paths are absolute and start with a slash ('/Reports/2026/q1.csv'); the account root is the empty string. A Dropbox file id ('id:…') or revision ('rev:…') may be used anywhere a path is asked for.
- Uploads and downloads use content.dropboxapi.com and everything else uses api.dropboxapi.com; the nodes pick the right host for you.
- The connection's access token must carry the scope the call needs — files.content.write to upload, move, delete or restore, files.content.read to download, files.metadata.read to list, search or read metadata, sharing.read to list shared links, sharing.write to create or revoke one, and account_info.read for space usage.
- Searching file contents works only on Dropbox Business accounts; every account can search names.
- A search and its continuations return at most 10,000 matches, and freshly changed files can take a few seconds to appear.
See Search Files run in a workflow.
In a technical demo we add the Dropbox connection, drop the node on the canvas and let Workflow Health pre-flight it before the first real run.