Share files from Google Drive
You can share the files and folders that you store in Google Drive with anyone.
When you share from Google Drive, you can control whether people can edit, comment on, or only view the file.
Note: To edit Microsoft Office files with others, you'll need to convert them to Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
Step 1: Find the file you want to share
Share a single file
- On a computer, go to Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
- Click the file you want to share.
- Click Share or Share
.
- On a computer, go to drive.google.com.
- On your keyboard, hold Shift and select two or more files.
- At the top right, click Share
Learn how to add files to a folder and share the entire folder.
Google Forms have different sharing options than other kinds of files.
Step 2: Choose who to share with & how they can use your file
Share with specific people
- Under "People," enter the email address you want to share with.
- Note: If you share with an email address that isn’t a Google Account, they’ll only be able to view the file.
- To choose what someone can do with your file, click the Down arrow
.
- If you don’t want to send an email people, turn off "Notify people."
- Click Send.
You can send other people a link to your file so anyone with the link can use it.
- At the top right, click Get shareable link.
- Next to "Anyone with the link," click the Down arrow
- Copy and paste the link in an email or any place you want to share it.
If you want anyone on the internet to search for, find, and open your file, you can publicly share a file.
- Click Get shareable link.
- Next to "Anyone with the link," click the Down arrow
- Click More
On - Public on the web.
- Click Save.
- Choose the level of access you want people to have. Learn more about how others can view, comment, or edit files.
- Click Done.
On - Public on the web.People who aren't signed in to a Google Account show up as anonymous animals in your file. Learn more about anonymous animals.
Limit how a file is shared
When you share a file with someone, you can choose what they can do with it.
- View: People can view, but can’t change or share the file with others.
- Comment: People can make comments and suggestions, but can’t change or share the file with others.
- Edit: People can make changes, accept or reject suggestions, and share the file with others.
When you share a link to a file, you control how widely the file is shared. These options depend on if your Google Account is through work, school, or Gmail.
- On - Public on the web: Anyone can search on Google and get access to your file, without signing in to their Google Account.
- On - Anyone with the link: Anyone who has the link can use your file, without signing in to their Google Account.
- Off - Specific people: Only people you share the file with will be able to use it.
- Up to 100 people can edit and comment at the same time.
- More than 100 people can view a file, though it’s easier to publish the file and create a link. Learn how to publish a file.
- You can share a file with up to 200 people or groups. If you need to share a file with more than 200 people, add them to a Google Group and share the file with the group.
- If you share a folder with many people, it could take some time before everyone can use it.
If you want to use a spreadsheet to collect information, learn how to create a Google Form. Read more about how data is collected.
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Evan is a Docs & Drive expert and author of this help page. Leave him feedback below about the page.
