Recently Google has updated the interface for how to share documents. By default documents you create are private. Changing the settings then defaults to sharing at your school. To allow parents and those outside of your domain to see your documents you need to take an additional step.
Share Button
In Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings there is a Share button in the upper right of the document.
Change Link
Notice that when you click on the Share button, in the Get link section, it says “Restricted.” Below that is “Change link to…” and it should show your school. Click on “Change link.”
Change the Building to a World
Notice the icon right that looks like a building. This indicates that the document is only shared on your domain, people at your school. You will need to click on the school name (notice the tiny triangle).
Change to Anyone with the Link
Clicking on the school name, tiny triangle, will give you a menu of options for the viewing permissions. Select the bottom option “Anyone with the link.” This should change the icon from a building to a world icon.
Copy Link
If you would like to share the document with parents, or others outside of your school, click on “Copy link” to copy the link to your clipboard.
1 thought on “Essential Google Apps: Anyone With the Link Can View”
Aloha and Mahalo, Alice, for listing these steps out. Since the recent changes were made, I’ve personally struggled with figuring out how to do this quickly and efficiently.
Your chrome extension “AnyoneCanView” was a godsend in the past. It was easily my most used extension saving me time and unnecessary extra clicks. It’s unfortunate that it no longer works. Thankfully there are work arounds such as the sheets add-on “Files Cabinet” for grabbing links of student docs to share…. it’s just now as eloquent or simple.
Thank you for always sharing your tips, tricks, and ideas with all of us. It’s especially helpful now that so many of us have moved to 100% online due to COVID-19. Please continue to stay safe! I’m looking forward to seeing you out here in Hawaii again someday and working with you to make teachers lives just a little bit easier!
Sean