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Sharing externally SPO Document Library
Back to the basics! I know it has worked in the past at least, but recently we have had some strange issues when we share Document Libraries to external users. So, should it be possible to share document library externally (not site, not folder, not file but document library)? Is it recommended? Simple yes/no would be great and no disclaimers. I started to questioning this even though I am 100% sure that sharing document library externally has worked before.
Hi Teemu Strand,
We support sharing files, folders and sites with external users and we do not recommend sharing individual document libraries. Some pieces may work (as jcgonzalezmartin pointed out, they are still objects in SharePoint) but those are byproducts, not intentional end to end scenarios. Hope that helps!
Stephen Rice
OneDrive Program Manager II
- StephenRice
Microsoft
Hi Teemu Strand,
We support sharing files, folders and sites with external users and we do not recommend sharing individual document libraries. Some pieces may work (as jcgonzalezmartin pointed out, they are still objects in SharePoint) but those are byproducts, not intentional end to end scenarios. Hope that helps!
Stephen Rice
OneDrive Program Manager II
- Thanks Stephen to clarify this! This might explain some odd behaviors we have encountered when sharing individual Document Libraries with external users.
We have some project sites shared with externals and which have been built so that externals only have access to some individual document library (e.g. Client1 has access to Library1 and then Client2 has access to Library2 and out internal users have access to all libraries). Now we need to look this approach again and maybe change it so that instead of document libraries we will share individual folders (if the whole site cannot be shared with externals).- StephenRice
Hi Teemu Strand
That makes sense! We usually recommend setting up separate site collections for each partner, as this ensures that there is no overlap (and less risk of sharing the wrong file with the wrong partner). If the content you are sharing is less sensitive or you don't have a requirement around ensuring your partners never know the others exist, the shared folders approach works as well. Thanks,
Stephen Rice
OneDrive Program Manager II
Can StephenRice perhaps help? :)
- If you have enabled external sharing in your site, you should be able to do it...out of curiosity: are you talking about sites created from Groups / Teams / Planner?
Yes external sharing is enabled. It is "tradional" old-school SPO Team Site.
I was getting cautious because MS articles speak that Sites, Folders and documents can be shared externally (document library not mentioned). But would be nice to get official confirmation.
