Share files with a link

An external link lets someone download files without a ClodDoc account. You must own the file to create a link. To share a folder, you must own every included file; the folder must contain at least one file, and each file must have a ready, checked version.

For colleagues who need access to ongoing changes, use internal access.

Create a link

1. Select a file or folder and choose Share.
2. Choose how to protect the link:
   • Password - enter a Link password containing at least 12 characters.
   • By email - enter Recipient email addresses, separated by commas, semicolons, or new lines.
3. Set Expires on. The default is one week; the selected day ends in Moscow time.
4. Optionally set a Download limit. Leave the field empty for no download-count limit.
5. Select Create link.
6. When the protected link is ready, select Copy link, send it to the recipient, then select Done.

Send the password in a separate message or through another agreed channel. For email-protected links, you also send the URL yourself. The recipient requests the verification email after opening it.

Caution

The full URL is shown only when the link is created. You cannot copy it again from Links. If it is lost, create a new link and revoke the old one.

Understand what the link contains

A link preserves the ready versions and file names selected when it was created. Uploading a new version, renaming a file, or adding files to the folder does not update an existing link. Create a new link to share the changes.

A shared folder appears as a list of files that recipients download individually. It does not give them access to the working folder or permission to edit its contents.

Open a link as a recipient

With a password: open the URL, enter the Password, and select Open files. Choose Download beside a file in the shared list.

By email: enter an allowed address in Work email, select Get code, enter the six-digit Code from email, and select Confirm. The code is valid for 10 minutes.

The secret portion of the URL is removed from the address bar after the link opens. To reopen or forward it, use the full URL from the original message, not the shortened address now displayed in the browser.

The download limit is shared by all recipients using that link. Each individual file download uses the limit; opening the page does not. The counter records an allowed download starting, not proof that the recipient saved the complete file.

Revoke a link

1. Open Links.
2. Find a link you created. Use All, Active, or Closed to narrow the list.
3. Select Revoke link and check that its status changes to revoked.

Caution

Moving the original file to Trash does not automatically revoke its external link. Revoke the link separately to stop access. Recipients keep any copies they have already downloaded.

If a link does not work

• Link unavailable. Ask the sender to check whether it expired or was revoked and create a new link if necessary.
• Download unavailable. The sender should check the link’s status, remaining download allowance, and the file version’s availability.
• Too many attempts. Wait before trying another password or requesting another code.
• You cannot share a folder. Check that you own every included file and that all required file checks have finished.
• Could not connect. Check your connection and try again.

Related: request files, versions and Trash, and troubleshooting.