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Share Links Support Online Collaboration for Office Documents

November 11, 2024

Have you wanted to collaborate on Office Documents using Share Links, but found the hassle of downloading and managing multiple versions frustrating?

Files.com has added a powerful new feature on our platform: the ability to edit Office documents directly online when accessing them via Share Links. This update enables visitors to edit, comment, and make updates to documents without needing to download and re-upload files.

What’s New?

Visitors to a full-access share link can open a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file directly in their browser, make edits in real-time, and save changes instantly, all without having to download or re-upload. The online editor provides a full-featured editing and co-authoring experience for your Share Link visitors. This is part of our commitment to creating an effortless and secure collaboration experience that meets the needs of modern, flexible work environments.

Key Benefits of Online Document Editing

  • Instant Access: No more waiting for documents to download, opening separate applications, or converting files. Shared links now open documents in an online editor, giving you instant access to make changes.
  • Real-Time Collaboration: Multiple users can collaborate in real-time. As soon as an edit is made, it’s saved instantly, ensuring everyone has the most up-to-date version of the document. The integrated commenting and track changes allow multiple people to seamlessly work together.
  • Enhanced Security: Editing directly through share links means files stay secure on the platform, reducing the need to download and store files on multiple devices.

How It Works

  1. Enable the Integration: A site administrator must select an online editor integration for the site, and separately choose to allow the editor to be used with full-access Share Links.
  2. Access Files Through a Full-Access Share Link: When a Share Link that permits full access is visited, clicking the link for any Office-type file opens the file directly in an online editor, where users can make updates, format changes, and even leave comments, all within their browser.
  3. And That's It: All changes are saved automatically, so your visitors can confidently close the document without the worry of losing work. The latest version is ready to go and accessible to anyone else with access to the link, as well as to your users who have access to the folder that was shared.

Supported Document Types

This feature supports Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files (.docx, .xlsx, and .pptx).

Built with Collaboration and Flexibility in Mind

Today’s work environment requires flexibility. Whether you’re working with remote teams, sharing files with clients, or managing documents across departments, the ability to edit files directly through share links removes barriers and keeps you moving efficiently.

Try It Now!

This feature is available now for all Files.com customers, and it's simple to enable the integration on your site.

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