How to share a file on google docs

Google Share


You can share files and folders with people and choose whether they can view, edit, or comment on them. You can share with:

  • Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, or Slides
  • A link or email attachment

Levels of access

When you share a file with other people, you choose what they can do with the file. You can always change your mind or stop sharing completely. Choose if others:

  • Can edit: Others can make changes and share a file with others. The default for sharing with specific people.
  • Can comment: Others can view and comment on a file but not make changes. You cannot comment on a folder.
  • Can view: Others can open a file but not change it or comment. The default for link sharing.

Share with specific people

Note: To share multiple files at once, add the files to a folder in Drive and share the entire folder.

  1. Open a file in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
  2. In the top right corner, click Share.
  3. Under "People" in the "Share with others" box, type the email address of the person or Google Group you want to share with. Tip: Search for contacts by typing a name in the box.
  4. To choose if a person can view, comment, or edit the file, click the Down arrow next to the text box 
    How to share a file on google docs
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  5. Click Done. The people you shared with will get an email letting them know you've shared a file.

To share something with more than one person without entering individual email addresses, you can create a link that allows anyone to open it.

Note: Documents will be "view only" unless they are signed into a Google Account.

  1. Go to drive.google.com.
  2. Select the name of a file or folder.
  3. At the top, click Get shareable link 
    How to share a file on google docs
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  4. In the corner, make sure the switch is green and to the right. A file link will be copied to your clipboard.
  5. Paste the link in an email or anyplace you want to share it.
    • To change whether a person can view, comment, or edit the file, click Sharing settings.

To stop sharing a file:

  1. At the top, click Get shareable link 
    How to share a file on google docs
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  2. Next to "Link sharing on", click the switch.

  1. Open a file in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
  2. In the top right corner, click Share.
  3. Click Get shareable link in the top right of the "Share with others" box.
  4. To choose whether a person can view, comment, or edit the file, click the Down arrow next to "Anyone with the link" 
    How to share a file on google docs
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  5. A file link will be copied to your clipboard. Paste the link in an email or anywhere you want to share it

Share a file or folder publicly

  1. On your computer, sign in to Google Drive.
  2. Click a file or folder.
    • Google Drive: In the top right, click Share . 
    • Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides: In the top right, click Share.
  3. In the top right of the "Share with others" box, click Get shareable link.
  4. Next to "Anyone with the link," click the Down arrow
    How to share a file on google docs
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  5. Click More
  6. Select "On - Public on the web". Anyone can open the file on the Internet by searching or using the link.
  7. Click Save.
  8. Choose what level of access people with the link have: view, comment, or edit.
  9. Click Done.

If you're using an account through work, school, or another group, you may not be able to share files or folders publicly.