---
title: Sharing with people outside the organization
path: user-guide/external-sharing
status: published
---

To send a file, folder, or whole share to someone who doesn't have a ScaiDrive account, create an **external link**. The recipient gets a URL they can open in a browser — no sign-up, no account.

External links are public by default, but you have a lot of control over who can use them.

## Creating a link

In the web client:

1. Right-click a file, folder, or share root → **Create external link**.
2. Pick options (defaults are fine for most cases).
3. Click **Create**.
4. Copy the URL — that's all you send to the recipient.

## Options

**Password.** Enter a passphrase. The recipient has to type it on the link landing page before they can access content. Strongly recommended for anything not totally public.

**Expiry date.** Pick a date after which the link stops working. Useful for time-bound disclosures.

**Download limit.** Cap the number of downloads. After the cap, the link is dead. Good for one-off file deliveries.

**Allowed emails.** A list of email addresses; the link only works for browsers that prove they own one of those addresses (the user gets a code by email and enters it on the landing page). Combine with no-password for friction-free access for specific people.

**IP allow-list.** Restrict by source IP / CIDR. Combine with the rest for high-security distributions.

**Permissions.**
- **View only** — recipients can preview but not download (PDFs render in-browser, downloads are blocked).
- **View and download** — the default.
- **Upload (drop zone)** — recipients can *only* upload to a folder you specify; they can't see what's there. Perfect for receiving submissions.

**Notify on access.** Get an email each time the link is accessed.

## Managing your links

Click **Links** in the share sidebar (or **My links** in the top-right user menu) for a list of every link you've created:

- See click counts, last access timestamp, and remaining downloads.
- **Revoke** kills the link instantly — the URL stops working everywhere.
- **Regenerate** issues a fresh URL with the same options (useful if you suspect a leak).
- **Extend expiry** or **reset download counter** to keep a still-useful link alive.

## What the recipient sees

A clean landing page with your organization's branding and the file's name. If a password is required, they type it. If the link allows downloads, they get a download button. Optionally, they can preview the file in-browser.

Your name (the person who created the link) appears on the page so the recipient knows it's legit.

## Tips

- For routine sharing (NDAs, contracts, deliverables) put a password and a sensible expiry on every link. The audit log keeps a record either way, but a password makes accidental forwarding harmless.
- For **submission folders** (a client uploads documents to you), create an upload-only link and put it on a project page. You'll see the uploads in your share; the recipient never sees what's in there.
- If your organization has a corporate **link policy** (e.g., max expiry of 30 days), your administrator can enforce it across all links. You'll see the policy in the link creation dialog.

## What's next

- [File versions](/docs/scaidrive/user-guide/file-versions) — recover an earlier version of a shared file.
- [Sharing with your team](/docs/scaidrive/user-guide/sharing-with-your-team) — invite internal members instead.