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.
175 comments
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AJ
commented
Disappointed that this essential business feature request has languished for more than three years. The lack of a file request function keeps me from moving entirely to OneDrive.
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Vishal
commented
Yes MS, That's the most needed feature for almost everyone! Please provide it. The only reason I have a dropbox subscription is its filerequest feature.
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veenstran
commented
I would love this onedrive option for my motion design students!
Sharepoint is no option because of filesize and not able to download all studentfiles in one go.
I do not want them to access other students files.
173 separate student folders is not an option.This Googledrive option for Onedrive please? https://youtu.be/LSLyjhZB7Qc
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Sherry
commented
I did some research and found collectizi.com. A bit different from your request but actually very suitable for those who need to collect a specific list of files/documents from their client and want to send automatically their request along with an email.
They also send automatic reminders. So far it works better than me. Can't wait for them to integrate with One drive though!
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William Dibbern
commented
This is the only reason I still use dropbox. Would be nice to do away with that reason.
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Glenn Barker commented
Dropbox does this excellent. I would recommend just seeing how they do file requests and duplicating it. Other storage services are a no-go for us because they lack this kind of functionality.
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Chris Webb
commented
They don't always have these updated and then all the sudden it will release, or what not. I'm betting it's being worked on already and we'll see it at this SharePoint conference. Just a guess thou :P.
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f144
commented
This suggestion had "Thinking about it" status in 2015.
It's one of the features Dropbox has that Onedrive lacks.
At this writing the suggestion has nearly 1500 votes.What more is there to think about?
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Chris Webb
commented
Yeah but that's not really the same thing. Drop box lets you send a link and accept uploads from multiple people without them seeing what others have uploaded. That's the difference :P.
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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.
