How to Share a File Using Google Docs

Internet file storage gives you many benefits over local storage, like online backups, access from other locations and easy file sharing with other people. Google Docs allows you to create and share any type of Google Doc file, so you and others can easily collaborate on them online without the inconvenience of emailing files to each other or constantly uploading and downloading files. While you can send an email invitation to any address for sharing a file, recipients must have a Google account to actually access the document.

Instructions to Share a File Using Google Docs

1: Log in to your Google Docs account and locate the document you want to share.

2: Open the "Share" option. If you're viewing the document itself, click the blue "Share" button near the top of the document. If you're viewing your document file list in Google Docs, check the box next to the document you want to share and then click the "More" drop-down menu near the top; there you can select "Share," then "Share" again.

3: Select the person or people you want to share the file with. You can click the "Choose from contacts" link to open another window and select contacts from your address book, or you can begin typing a name or email address from your address book and that person's contact information will automatically populate. Another option is to type individual email addresses separated by a comma.

4: Click the drop-down menu to the right of each person you're sharing the file with to specify one of three access privileges. "Can edit" allows recipients to view and alter the document as well as add comments that don't actually alter the document's contents. "Can comment" only allows recipients to view the document and add comments to it. "Can view" allows recipients to view the document but not edit it or add comments.

5: Click "Share & save" to share the document.