Sharing Files or Folders in Google Drive

Environment

U-M Google (Drive)

Issue

How to share files or folders in Google Drive.

Resolution

Specific People or Group

Like files, you can choose to share folders with only specific people.

  1. On your computer, go to drive.umich.edu
  2. Click the file/folder you want to share
  3. Click Share
  4. Enter the email address or group you want to share with
  5. To decide what role people will have with your folder, select Viewer, Commenter, or Editor
  6. Choose to notify people
    • If you want to notify people that you shared an item with them, check the box next to "Notify people"
    • If you notify people, each email address you enter will be included in the email
    • If you don't want to notify people, uncheck the box
  7. Click Send or Share

Allow General Access to File/Folder

You can decide if your file/folder should be generally available or restricted to only the people with folder access. If you allow access to anyone with the link, anyone can open the folder.

  1. On your computer, go to drive.umich.edu
  2. Click the folder you want to share
  3. Click Share
  4. Under "General access," click the Down arrow
  5. Choose who can access the folder
  6. To decide what role people will have with your folder, select Viewer, Commenter, or Editor

Folders can be shared with external guests. Folders cannot transfer ownership of folders to external guests. If you attempt to transfer ownership you will encounter the following error: "Ownership can only be transferred to another user in the same organization as the current owner."

Additional Information

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.

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