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This guide provides five foundational steps for new Box users to become productive quickly, covering login, navigation, workspace creation, content sharing, and organization.

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Step 1: Logging into Box

To access Box:
  1. Navigate to app.box.com/login
  2. Enter your email or username
  3. Enter your password (use “Reset Password” if needed)
  4. Click Log In
Users with Single Sign-On (SSO) enabled can use company credentials for authentication.

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Step 2: Navigating the Files Page

The Files page displays all accessible folders and files. Folder types are indicated by icons:
  • Yellow folders: Personal folders you own
  • Blue folders with person icon: Collaborative folders from enterprise users
  • Gray folders with globe icon: External collaborative folders

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Search Functionality

The search tool queries file titles and document content. Results can be filtered by folder, file type, date, content type, and owner.

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Step 3: Creating a New Workspace

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Creating Folders

  1. Click the New button (upper-right)
  2. Select desired creation type (Folder, Bookmark, Box Note, etc.)
  3. Enter a name and optionally invite collaborators
  4. Click Create

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Uploading Files

  1. Click New + button
  2. Select File Upload or Folder Upload
  3. Select items (multiple files allowed using Command/Control key)
  4. Click Open or Upload

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Step 4: Sharing Content

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Two Primary Methods

  • Inviting existing Box users to folders
  • Sending shared links

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Adding Collaborators

  1. Hover over the file/folder and click Share
  2. Under Invite People, click Add names or email addresses
  3. Type collaborator name or email
  4. Select a role from the Invite as dropdown
  5. Optionally add a message (up to 750 characters)
  6. Click Send
Permissions follow a “waterfall” design: access extends to invited items and all subfolders.
  1. Hover over the file/folder
  2. Click Copy Shared Link
  3. Select access permissions:
    • People with the link: Anyone with link (optional password/expiration)
    • People in your company: Domain-verified users only
    • Invited people only: Pre-invited collaborators
  4. Choose action permissions:
    • Can edit: Full editing and viewing capabilities
    • Can view and download: View and download only
    • Can view only: Read-only access
  5. Copy and share the link

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Step 5: Staying Organized

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Collections and Favorites

Collections are private, customizable groupings of files and folders. Create new collections via the ”+” button beside My Collections in the sidebar.

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Recents

The Recents section displays recently updated files and folders, helping users quickly resume work.