Google Drive – Getting the link to your file so you can share it

Sometimes you want to share your file or folder but not via the normal way of sharing within Google Apps. For example, you may want to add a link to your file on a webpage, or in an email using something like Outlook. Fortunately, this is really easy to do.

Sharing the link to a file or folder

1) Right click on your file or folder and click “Get link” from the menu.

2) This brings up the link. It’s highlighted automatically, so to copy it all you need to do is, hold down Ctrl then press C (Cmd C on a Mac) and it will be copied to your clipboard.

To paste it where you want it, just hold down Ctrl then press V (Cmd V on a Mac). This is the normal shortcut for copying and pasting things.

Important: Sharing the link doesn’t automatically share access to that file.  If the file isn’t shared with anyone or is only shared with certain people, then anyone not on that list won’t be able to open it. Google kindly reminds you of the sharing status, above the link.  In this case, “Only specific people can access this file”.

To add people or to change the sharing status to “Anyone with this link”, click on “Sharing settings” and this will open the “Share with others” dialogue box. See my post on sharing files and folders, if you’re not sure about what to do.

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Alternative ways to get the link

Above the files area, you will see a chain symbol, click on that and the link will appear as before.

Another way, is to open the document and copy the address from the browser.