Sharing files in Microsoft Programs | HELPDESK

Sharing files in Microsoft Programs

You can share an individual file or an entire folder with another user.

Saving a file to OneDrive and inviting users to view or edit it is an easy way to collaborate on content. Anyone with editing rights can update the file’s content, and others will see the latest version at the same time. 

If you want to share a file, you can:

  • save the file to OneDrive and share it from there. An email will be sent to the recipients.
  • share a link directly from the file, which you can copy into, for example, a Teams conversation, Moodle or even a workgroup page.

    File sharing options

    Share from OneDrive

    You can share a single file or an entire folder with another user on OneDrive.

    • Sign in to Outlook Web App and go to OneDrive via the app launcher.
    • Find the file (or folder) you want to share in OneDrive and click the share icon next to the document.
    • In the window that opens, you can share the file or folder and view the file’s sharing settings.

    Share as link

    You can share the file directly as a link from Microsoft programs, e.g. Word. You can paste the copied link into a Teams conversation or an email message. You can also use this link to share the file as a link on a wiki site or in Moodle, for example.

    Note! By default, permissions are granted to users in your organisation with view-only access. Remember to check and add the necessary permissions, e.g. editing rights, when sharing.

    Please see Detailed help Tab for instructions with pictures.

    Sharing a file via OneDrive

    You may share an individual file or an entire folder with another user.

    • A window opens showing the current status. You can click a gear icon to go to Sharing settings (1).
    • Type the name of the person you want to share the file (or folder) (2) with.
    • Specify whether the person should only have read access (Can read) or write access as well (Can edit) (3).
    • Click Send (4) to finish.
    • The recipient will receive an email containing a link to the shared file or folder.

    You can share the file directly as a link and paste the link into a Teams conversation or email message. You can also use this link to share the file on a wiki site or in Moodle, for example.

    • You can share a Microsoft file directly from the document.
    • Open the document you want to share. Select Share > Copy Link.
    • The link will be copied, and you will receive a notification. The notification will show you the permissions associated with the link. By default, the link is shared with users in your organization with view-only permissions. If you want to adjust the permissions — for example, to add editing permissions — click Settings.
    • The Sharing settings window opens.
    • In the Sharing settings, you can specify who can open the file after receiving the link. By default, files can only be shared with people who have a University of Helsinki user account (People in the University of Helsinki) (1). If you wish, you can also share the file with anyone outside the University of Helsinki (Anyone) (2).

     

    With whom has the file been shared?

    • To see who the file has been shared with, click the Manage access icon (1).
    • In the window that opens, you can check and edit (1) which permissions have been granted to which individuals ("People") and groups ("Groups"), (2) who has been granted access to the file, and (3) what permissions those who have received the file link have ("Links").

    How to find files shared with you

    If you want to see folders shared with you, you must choose the folders first using a browser. 

    Go to https://www.helsinki.fi/office365 -> OneDrive -> Shared

    Here you can view files or folders shared with you (“With you”) (1) or files or folders you have shared yourself (“By you”)(2).

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