The Live Table from Dropbox macro displays an Excel, CSV, TSV, or JSON file stored in Dropbox as a table on a Confluence page. Paste a link to the file directly into the page editor to create the macro automatically. The person viewing the table needs access to the file through their Dropbox account.

Using the Live Table from Dropbox macro

  1. In Dropbox, find the file you want to display, select Share, and choose Copy link.
  2. Open a Confluence page for editing and paste the Dropbox file link into the page editor. Confluence converts it to the Live Table from Dropbox macro automatically. You can also type /Live Table from Dropbox, select the macro, and paste the link into its file URL field.
  3. Connect your Dropbox account when prompted. Review the requested access and authorize the app.
  4. Choose the file-specific settings, if needed. The defaults automatically detect the file type, CSV delimiter, CSV quote character, and file encoding.
  5. Save the macro and publish the Confluence page.


Use the link copied from Share → Copy link for an individual file. A Dropbox file link may look like this:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/FILE_ID/report.csv?rlkey=LINK_KEY&dl=0

FILE_ID and LINK_KEY stand for the values in your own link. Keep the complete URL, including its query parameters. You do not need to change dl=0 to dl=1 or raw=1. The link must point to a supported file rather than a folder. Dropbox may also issue links in its older /s/FILE_ID/report.csv format.

The macro retrieves the file named in its configured link when the table renders. Changes to that file can appear when the table loads again. If the file is deleted or the link expires or becomes inaccessible, restore access or configure a working file link.

File-specific settings

CSV and TSV files

  • Delimiter: Automatically detected by default. Specify it when the detected separator is incorrect.
  • Quote: Automatically detected by default. Specify the character used to quote values when detection is incorrect.
  • Encoding: Automatically detected by default. Select an encoding if the text is displayed incorrectly.
  • Data format: Choose Plain text, Wiki markup, or Markdown for the contents of cells.

JSON files

  • Path to node: Enter a JSONPath to the array or node whose data you want to display. You can enter several JSON paths, separated by commas. Leave it empty if the JSON document is an array at the root.
  • Expand all nested Objects: Expand nested object values in the output table.
  • Encoding: Automatically detected by default. Select an encoding if the text is displayed incorrectly.
  • Data format: Choose Plain text, Wiki markup, or Markdown for the contents of cells.


Viewing files with restricted access

Each person viewing the table connects their own Dropbox account and must be able to access the configured file. Connecting the page author's account does not grant other viewers access. Check the file's sharing settings if another viewer cannot see the table. Dropbox team policies or link restrictions may also affect access.

The Dropbox connection requests the sharing.read and files.content.read scopes to read sharing information and file contents. The macro uses the connection to retrieve the file named in the configured link; it does not change the file or its sharing settings. Review the permissions on Dropbox's authorization screen before connecting your account.

Working with the table

The table shows the file data available to the viewer when the macro loads. For filtering, charts, or other table processing, place the Live Table from Dropbox macro inside Table Toolbox and combine it with the Table Filter, Charts & Spreadsheets macros.

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