can't find "File Requests API"

Steven, why wouldn't you just use the Core API (/files_put) to upload the file? (Why do you need to use a file request?)

Ah, /files_put would work, but it'd be a bit cleaner to use a File Request. The Core API requires that requests are authenticated, so we'd have to create an app in the App Console, get Oauth credentials from one of our user accounts, and then bundle those with the internal applications.

Steven, are you saying there's no server-side component to this app? (You're distributing apps that get installed on people's computers?) If so, you're right that you shouldn't embed an access token in that app, just as you wouldn't want to embed S3 or FTP credentials in the app.

I was assuming some server-side component that accepts the file upload and sends it along to Dropbox. E.g., in Python:

DropboxClient("<access token for the account>").put_file('/path/to/shared_folder/' + filename, file_to_upload)

If there's no server-side component, I guess you were hoping to create the file request once by hand, and then embed the file request URL in the app. Is that right?

Another usecase is remove the need for a business to run a backend or ftp server. Just let a IoT application regulary send in sensor data to a dropbox account. E.g daily temperature readings from a sensors is pushed to a dropbox account.

"Family E.", why wouldn't you just use the regular /files/upload API endpoint to do this?

Thanks for the additional feedback and context!

Thanks for the detailed feedback!

Add another +1 vote for an API to create a file request and also to upload a file to the newly created fie request folder. Below is my scenario.

I'm the web developer for a small graduate school. The website includes an online application form. Besides the form, an applicant must also submit an essay, letters of reference, and official transcripts. Once everything has been submitted, a committee of 5 faculty review all the documents and make a decision regarding admission.

When an application is submitted online, I'd like to automate the following:

1. save the form data to a database, assign an ID number, and create a PDF of the application;
2. create a File Request in Dropbox using the ID number as the folder name and grant the committee members access to view the documents;
3. upload the PDF of the application form to the newly created File Request folder;
4. send an email to the applicant and to each of the people who will be writing references with a link to the newly created File Request folder;
5. send an email to the committee members with a link to view the documents in the newly created File Request folder.

Step one is already automated, but for now we will have to manually do steps 2-5. It would be immensely helpful if the API provided a way for us to automate the whole process. That way the folder would be created, the emails sent, and the references received without any delay, waiting on staff intervention. 

I can't stress enough how useful this feature would be!   

Thanks for the additional feedback!

Cheri, by the way, it sounds like you should be able to implement your system using the existing Dropbox API, without the use of file requests. That is, the Dropbox API lets you programmatically, create and share folders, as well as directly upload and download files to and from accounts.

Yes, the existing API allows me to create, share and upload to folders. However, my understanding is that the shared folder would allow anyone with a link to view all the documents in the folder (which would violate numerous privacy laws o behalf of the applicant).

I need to use the API to create a folder, upload a document, then generate a link that allows  reference writers to upload a reference letter without being able to read the other letters of reference or the application form, and also allow the applicant to upload an essay and official transcripts without being able to read any of the (strictly confidential) letters of reference.  

As far as I know, the existing API does not provide a way to accomplish what I need. If I've overlooked that ability, please point me in the right direction. Thanks!