SharePoint Is it possible to share a file with an external party and give them access to download the file/documents without adding access to the site?

Question

Hi, I am currently trying to set up access for numerous external clients to gain access to documents which are too big to send via email. I have managed to share access to the folder and I have ticked the edit function and shared the link, with which they are logging in with a security code sent to the email I have used to add their access. They can view, edit, alter the documents but there is no function being given to download the documents. Where am I going wrong?

Many Thanks

Answer 1

@Swinton, Andrea

Based on your description, I understand that the external users cannot download the shared files, but they can edit files without any issue.

First of all, I want to know the following information at your convenience.

1. When you share files with external users, through Anyone with the link or Specific people?
2. When external users cannot download shared files, do they receive any error messages?

In addition, please also try out the following methods and let me know the result.

1. Let users to switch to different browser to download shared files.
2. For the shared files, go to File -> Save as -> Download a Copy to download, check whether they are able to achieve this.

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