Skip to main content
Solved

Content Insights: What "Downloaded" Really Means

  • September 3, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 19 views

Hello!

  • When Content Insights identifies an authenticated collaborator’s action as “Downloaded,” which methods generate that event?
  • Specifically, does the event occur when the collaborator :
    • (1) previews the file,
    • (2) opens it in Microsoft Word for the web using Office co-authoring,
    • (3) opens it in desktop Word through Box Edit,
    • (4) opens it through Box Drive, OR
    • (5) manually selects Download?

We need to distinguish browser-based co-authoring from actions that create a local copy for compliance purposes.

Thanks in advance for the responses and insights!

Best answer by Rona Box

Hi ​@MaKaye55, 

Welcome to Box Community, and let’s take a deep dive in your collaborator’s activities in your Box content! 

  • (1) If the file was previewed,  it is when a user opens a document using the Box Web previewer or mobile preview. 
  • (2) As for download, it occurs when you explicitly click ‘Download’ in the Box web interface, mobile app, or via shared links directly downloads a full copy of the file to the local storage. As well as opening the file through Box Drive or opening the file via Word using Box Edit/Tools. 

 

Are you looking to track your collaborator’s activities on your organization’s Box files? If yes, you can run the User Activity Report> File Management. 

 

Hope it helps! Feel free to reply if you have additional questions or contact Box Product Support. 

    1 reply

    Rona Box
    • Rona Box
    • Community Manager
    • Answer
    • September 4, 2026

    Hi ​@MaKaye55, 

    Welcome to Box Community, and let’s take a deep dive in your collaborator’s activities in your Box content! 

    • (1) If the file was previewed,  it is when a user opens a document using the Box Web previewer or mobile preview. 
    • (2) As for download, it occurs when you explicitly click ‘Download’ in the Box web interface, mobile app, or via shared links directly downloads a full copy of the file to the local storage. As well as opening the file through Box Drive or opening the file via Word using Box Edit/Tools. 

     

    Are you looking to track your collaborator’s activities on your organization’s Box files? If yes, you can run the User Activity Report> File Management. 

     

    Hope it helps! Feel free to reply if you have additional questions or contact Box Product Support. 

    Terms of ServiceAccessibility statement