Question about Uploading files and getting started on Box

Hi ​@Peggertl, 👋

Welcome to the Box Community! Here is a guide to help you understand how invitations work, how to upload files, why you might be seeing an upload error, and what you should expect to see from your coworker.
 

1. Accepting Collaboration Invitations

• Pending Invitations: When someone invites you to collaborate on a folder or file, you can accept it directly via the email invite or inside Box. You can find pending invitations under the notification bell icon (Notification Center) in the top right, or in the pending invitations banner at the top of your Files page.
• Email Confirmation: When you sign up for a new Box account via an invite, you must confirm your email address. Until your email address is verified and the invitation is accepted, the shared folder will not appear in your account.
• Account Matching: Make sure the email address where your coworker sent the invite matches the primary email address on your Box account (under Account Settings).
   

2. What You Should See from Your Coworker

• Collaborative Folders: Once the invitation is accepted, the shared item appears on your Files page. Collaborative folders change color from standard yellow/manila to blue.
• Waterfall Permissions: In Box, permissions follow a “waterfall” structure. You will only see the specific folder or file you were invited to and any subfolders inside it—not the parent folders above it.
   

3. How to Upload Files & Resolving Upload Errors

• How to Upload: Open the folder you want to upload into, then click the Upload button at the top right (choose Files or Folder), or simply drag and drop the files from your computer into the Box folder window.
• Common Reasons for Upload Errors:
  • Folder Permission Level: Your coworker may have assigned you a role such as Viewer or Previewer, which only allows reading or viewing files. To upload, you need at least Editor, Viewer Uploader, or Uploader permissions.
  • Uploading to the Root Directory: In Box, you cannot upload directly to the root “All Files” page if content creation is restricted by enterprise policies, or if you don’t own the workspace. Make sure you click into the specific shared folder before uploading.
  • Network / Browser / File Issues: Check your internet/firewall connection, ensure the file is not currently open/locked in another program, or try uploading using a different browser/incognito window.

✅ Next Steps to Try:

1. Check your email inbox to ensure you have verified/confirmed your Box email address.
2. In Box, check the notification bell icon at the top right to confirm the collaboration invite is accepted.
3. Open the blue shared folder from your Files list and verify you have upload rights. If you only see “View” options or cannot upload, ask your coworker to check your collaborator permission level and ensure it is set to Editor or Uploader.

Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions.