Request that someone sends a file to me
I (and my users) often need to request large files from a contact outside my organization, but Office 365 and OneDrive do not provide this functionality in a simple way. Microsoft support tells me to “either create a shared Sharepoint site or ask the other party to upload files to their own OneDrive and share the file”. Both of these “solutions” require the other party to have a Microsoft ID and force me into the awkward position of being a Microsoft evangelist (as I tell them how to get a Microsoft ID, upload the file, and then share it with me).
It would be so much better if I could request files with a true “drop box” link; a reverse-sharing link that allows outsiders to drop files into my OneDrive storage similar to the key drop box at vehicle repair shops. I believe this would require Write-Only permissions for an external user.
For example, an auto insurance agent needs pictures of an accident from a customer using a secure method. They can email a ‘file request link’ to the customer, who can easily upload files to a folder in the insurance companies OneDrive storage.
I apologize in advance if posting a link to competitor’s functionality is considered bad etiquette, but I have experience with other file sharing services who have provided this functionality for a while. This video by ShareFile explains the functionality in better detail: http://support.citrixonline.com/ShareFile/help_files/SF040027
Thank you!
Abiel
shared this idea
We are rolling out Request Files to OneDrive for Business this month (November 2019). Anyone with the file request link will be able to upload files without having to sign in, no OneDrive account required. Best of all, uploaders will only be able to upload files. They can’t view, edit, or even see who else may have uploaded to the request.
There are multiple use cases where this feature can be extremely valuable – consider “Request for Proposal” (RFP) scenario where you need to collect bids from others, or a marketing professional accumulating quotes from various vendors for a campaign, a teacher collecting assignments , a manager reaching out for feedback from his team members or a financial rep or recruiter gathering documents from their clients- just to name a few.
166 comments
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Anonymous
commented
I believe this is achievable by creating a Anyone editable link with a expiry date fora folder. And sharing that link will allow users to upload files with out creating account (off course you shouldn't share the link with any one else) :)
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Jim
commented
Any news on when this feature will be released as it is something we use regularly.
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Keith
commented
Is this feature ready yet?
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Rob
commented
This missing feature is the one thing preventing us from migrating all users across from ShareFile.
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Anonymous
commented
This is an essential functionality. If Onedrive for Business is being touted as a file storage solution then we need a feature to allow individuals without a Microsoft ID to share files with us.
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Anonymous
commented
Love that feature, please prioritize :)
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Sam
commented
Yes onedrive needs this feature. They should also get an Outlook Plugin as Sharefile does so that each process only takes one click.
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Jonathan Côté
commented
Onedrive needs this feature.
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Anonymous
commented
This request is a sorely missed feature of Onedrive/SharePoint that allows greater collaboration with other organizations. You would be surprised how many people are using Dropbox and not Onedrive due to this one feature.
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Jared Roberts
commented
This has already been requested here: https://onedrive.uservoice.com/forums/262982-onedrive/suggestions/6537704-request-that-someone-sends-a-file-to-me
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Gavin Jensen
commented
Agreed. This feature is why I have a dropbox account. It is awesome! Please add it to onedrive.
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Anonymous
commented
Agreed this would be a great feature to implement. MS please consider
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Bhavdeep Ghai
commented
I am looking for file request feature like dropbox. where even unregistered users can upload their files. Basically i want that feature so that my clients can upload their files which range from 2gb to 6gb at times. Where anyone having link can upload their files. I am thinking of buying outlook for business. But there is no meaning of buying it if i cannot do that.
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Anonymous
commented
a good name for this functionality would be "catch files" :)))
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Michael
commented
Wow, after so many years talking about this much wanted feature, and it's still not yet implement. 1200+ should render some attention to this feature request.
Thanks
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Chris Webb
commented
All of you paying for Dropbox for no reason......
You can already easily do this. Go to or quickly create a folder you want to have them upload and Right click Share (Since new shell integration this is easier than ever). Select Anyone can edit the folder, click apply, next step lets you put in e-mail address and send a message, type in "Hey click this link and upload your files". Boom done.....And with Microsoft Flow you could technically build this functionality out as well if you use it all the time....... sure it's not a single button click, but it doesn't take much time to just do the folder Share. -
ChrisC
commented
Dropbox has this and I used it all the time until work forced me to switch - it's a VERY useful feature for some people. Please consider adding it.
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Anonymous
commented
We needed this feature when working with claims with our clients to upload their files/photos/narrative/etc.... Fortunately enough, i convinced our IT department to switch to Drop Box where this feature is implemented.
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Anonymous
commented
Make it a higher priority. I just paid for a dropbox account to do this.
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DO
commented
I would like to have a blind drop option, like DropBox does. That way we can give everyone that's sending us documents the same link. They go to the link, drag and drop files, it prompts them for their email for labeling purposes, done. We get notified. But every time someone visits the link, they can't view anything. It's just for uploading. Similar to above, but without us requesting each one.
We are also stuck in a DropBox agreement because of needing this feature. Confused as to why OneDrive doesn't have it. I've often wondered if they have some kind of patent or protected IP around it.
