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Dropbox

A Dropbox data system connector allows you to the Dropbox cloud file system as a data source for your Kianda forms or dashboards. Dropbox is a personal cloud based file system with many subscriptions including team subscriptions. This allows you to store files online and share them with your team or use it as a backup. This means that as your processes are running they will use the information from the cloud file system or depending on the process, update or delete information at the Dropbox cloud file system.

When to use

You can use the Dropbox connector when you want a process within your Kianda subscription to have access to your Dropbox cloud file directory. You can extract files from Dropbox into Kianda by using a List field control. Set the datasource of the List field to be your Dropbox connector allowing you to access files from you Dropbox account, to learn more about the List field go to List control. You can also use the Dropbox data connector within the Data set of rules, these rules allow you to perform Create, Read, Update and Delete (CRUD) operations. To learn more about the Data rules, go to Data rules.

Before getting started

In advance of using the Dropbox data connector, you must have an account with Dropbox. The account is used to authorise a connection between your Kianda subscription and your Dropbox account.

How to get started

  1. From the Kianda home page, click on Administration > Data sources.

  2. Click on + Add new button Add new data connector button and choose Dropbox from the list of data sources provided.

  3. You will be automatically brought to the Dropbox data connector page, where you can start setting up the connection.

    File system detail page

    Choose from the edit options:

    • Display name - type in the name for your Dropbox connector. This is used to distinguish between different data connectors on your platform.
    • Authorize - allows you to authorize the connection with your Dropbox account and Kianda. When you click this button, a Dropbox window will open allowing you to log in into your Dropbox to authenticate your account.
    • Status - represents the current status of the connection.
      • incomplete - means that the details of the connector were not fully completed
      • test failed - means that the details of the connector are incorrect and the connection has failed.
      • ready - means that the connector has successfully connected and its ready to be used.

  4. A Dropbox authentication window will open. Enter your login details to authenticate the connection.

  5. When you have added the Dropbox details, you are ready to test your connection and add security. At the bottom of the Dropbox details page, click on Test connection button Test connection for REST Service and if the service has been correctly configured, then you should receive a notification saying Connection test succeeded.

  6. Click on Save Save connection button to save the connection and you will receive a notification saying Details saved successfully.

  7. Add Security settings by clicking on the Security button, go to Setting security for data sources for more details.

  8. Click on Close to close the details page and return to the data source management main view.

Dropbox parameters

When you use the Dropbox datasource, there are default parameters invoked from the files that you can access. For example when you create a list filed in a Kianda form and use Dropbox as its datasource, these Dropbox parameters will appear in Display field, Value field and Sort by field in the Edit field dialog box, see Name for example in the image below:

File system parameters

The Dropbox parameters that appear in those three dropdown fields are:

  • Name - name of the file including the extension.
  • NameNoExtension - name of the file without the extension.
  • Path - displays the full path to the file.
  • Extension - displays just the extension of the file.
  • Modified - displays the date and time when the file was last modified.
  • Created - displays the date and time when the file was created.
  • ParentFolderName - name of the folder that contains the file.
  • ParentFolderPath - path of the folder that contains the file.

What’s next Idea icon

Your Dropbox connector is now set up and ready to be used in your processes. To find out more about how to design processes go to Designer.