2 Best Ways to Give SharePoint Library Upload Access to External Users

While working on a document management system for one of my clients, I created a SharePoint site for external users. The client wanted the external users to be able to upload documents to a document library without adding them as guest users.

Initially, we considered using SharePoint’s out-of-the-box Request Files feature. However, the limitation with Request Files is that external users cannot modify or update the uploaded file once it’s submitted.

To overcome this, I suggested an alternative approach: creating a folder with “Anyone can edit” permissions. With this setup, you can share a folder link with external users so they can upload and update documents as needed. Once the process is complete, the link can be removed.

In this tutorial, I will show you two ways to give external users upload access in SharePoint:

1. Using the Request Files feature in SharePoint.
2. Creating a folder with Anyone can edit (Share with anyone, doesn’t require sign-in) permissions and sharing it with external users in SharePoint Online.

Method 1: Using the Request Files Feature in SharePoint

Before you can request files from external users, you need to make sure your SharePoint site allows sharing with Anyone (Anonymous users).

To do this:

1. Go to the SharePoint Admin Center. In the left panel, click Sites -> Active sites. Select the site where your document library is located. Then click Sharing.

2. Set the sharing level to Anyone (this allows external users to upload files without signing in). Click Save.

Now, follow the steps below to Request Files Access to External Users:

1. Open your SharePoint document library. Select the folder where you want external users to upload files. Click the Request Files option from the command bar (or from the three dots menu).

2. Enter a description (Upload your project documents here). Click Next.

3. Copy the generated upload link and share it with your external users using email or message.

External User Uploads Files

When an external user opens the Request Files link you shared, they’ll see a simple upload page.

1. Click Select files to choose files from the local device.
2. After selecting the files, they need to enter their name (this helps identify who uploaded the file).
3. Finally, click Upload to submit the files.

Once the upload is complete, the files will automatically appear in your SharePoint document library with the uploader’s name added to the file name.

Note: External users can only upload files through this link; they cannot view, modify, or delete existing files

Method 2: Creating a Folder with Anyone Can Edit Permissions in SharePoint

If you want external users to upload, modify, or delete files, then you can share a folder link with Anyone can edit permissions. This gives them full access to that specific folder without adding them as guest users.

To make this work, you need to enable sharing at both the tenant level and the site level.

In the example above, I already showed how to enable Anyone sharing at the site level. Now, follow the steps below to enable the Anyone link setting at the tenant level:

Enable Anyone Link Sharing at the Tenant Level

Go to the SharePoint Admin Center. In the left menu, click Policies -> Sharing. Then, under File and folder links, choose Anyone with the link. Scroll down and click Save to apply the changes.

Now, follow the steps below to see how we can see the folder link to the external user:

1. Open your SharePoint document library. Click New -> Folder and give it a name (External Uploads). Select the folder and click Share.

2. In the share dialog click the settings icon.

3. Then select Anyone with the link. Make sure Can edit is selected. Click Apply.

Note:

You can also add an expiration date or password to the shared link for extra security if needed.

4. Copy link Share the link with external users using email, chat, or any other method.

External Users Upload and Edit Files

When external users open the shared folder link:

1. They can see the folder contents.
2. They can upload new files and edit existing ones.
3. All changes are reflected immediately in your SharePoint library.

Note: Once the uploads are complete, you can delete the shared link to prevent further access. Go to the folder -> Manage access -> Remove link.

I hope this article helps you easily and securely set up external user upload access in SharePoint.

Additionally, you may like some more SharePoint tutorials:

• Create Site Retention Policies in SharePoint
• Create a Dropdown Navigation in SharePoint
• Set Up Expiration Guest Access to SharePoint Site
• Add a SharePoint List to Quick Launch
• Retrieve SharePoint List Items by Created Date Range Using REST API