I have a PDF I need to get to a client, and they specifically asked for a link rather than an email attachment. I tried putting it online, but the link I got didn’t work for them. What’s the right way to create a shareable link for a PDF?
Honestly the easiest way is Google Drive or Dropbox. Upload the PDF, right click it, hit share, and set it to “anyone with the link can view” before copying the link. That last step is usually why links fail for clients, the default is often private. I send drawing sets to consultants this way all the time.
I had this exact problem when sending our clinic forms to patients. The easiest fix I found was using PDFcap at pdfcap.com. You just upload your PDF and it generates a simple web link to copy and paste to your client. It worked straight away for me without any permission headaches.
I usually upload the PDF to Google Drive or Dropbox, then set sharing to “Anyone with the link” and test it in a private browser window before sending. Make sure the permission is view-only unless they need to download or edit it. I learned the hard way that a link can work while you’re logged in but fail for everyone else.
The link probably didn’t work because it was set to private. Upload the PDF to Google Drive or Dropbox, then change the sharing settings to “anyone with the link can view” before sending it to your client. That’s usually the easiest way and takes about a minute once you’ve done it.
evelyn2008 The private window check is the bit I always forget too. I’d also peek at the link on my phone’s browser, since that’s what my old laptop misses. Not sure if it’s the same on Mac.
I use Google Drive to share PDF price lists with my baking customers. Upload the file, right-click it, and click the share option. The main tip is to change the general access to anyone with the link. Avoid copying the link directly from your address bar, as I learnt the hard way that buyers will just see an error screen.
@sarcastic_sea That’s a useful warning, especially for clients who aren’t signed into your account. I always open the copied sharing link in a private browser window first, then check that the PDF is view-only unless the client needs editing access.
Had the same thing last month trying to send show notes to a sponsor. Easiest fix for me was uploading the PDF to Google Drive or Dropbox and sharing the link with view access turned on, not “restricted.” Double check the sharing setting says “anyone with the link” since that’s usually what breaks it. Learned that one the hard way after my client got an access denied page.
@SneakySteel Same thing bit me with scanned claim files. I upload to Drive, set it to anyone with the link, then paste the link into a private window to confirm it opens without my login. View only is the safe default unless the client actually needs to download it.
first thing i’d check is if sharing is still set to private, that kills most links. i dump the pdf in google drive, get the link, and switch it to anyone with the link can view. not sure if it’s the same on mac. that’s how i send leases and receipts without paying for extra software.
Honestly this is usually a permissions thing rather than the link itself. I use Google Drive for work files: upload the PDF, right click, share, then set it to “anyone with the link can view”. The common mistake is leaving it restricted so only your account can open it. Dropbox works the same way if that’s what you already have. Also worth testing the link in an incognito window before sending it.