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.
150 comments
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LJ
commented
We also need this feature in OneDrive! Aha, DropBox has it! Sad, but it's perhaps time to move to DropBox.
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Brian
commented
I can not believe this features STILL isn't incorporated into OneDrive. Amazing and truly a great reason to stick with Dropbox.
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Anonymous
commented
This would be an ideal addition to functionality in terms of education and submission of digital assignments.
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TroopPapa
commented
Update please. I/we need this! We need a solution like dropbox has already! Upload files WITHOUT an account!
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Matt
commented
Any update on this? A lot of businesses need this and I'd think it should be higher on your backlog
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Jaroslaw Danilczuk
commented
Would cut usage of 3rd party services immediately. Now it's the only missing part of the MS cloud storage solutions.
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GC
commented
Absolutely needed. I could move entirely to OneDrive (and stop using DropBox) if a file request feature were implemented. Until then...
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Shalom
commented
Hi Rueben Krippner - any updates to your plans for implementation?
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Anonymous
commented
Absolutely mandatory to use OneDrive in business
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Anonymous
commented
Totally need that
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Trevor Bennett
commented
This feature would be a huge win - we are actively mourning the loss of this particular feature in our shift from ShareFile to OneDrive/SharePoint.
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Gino
commented
All other file share services have this feature. I feel it is time to be added.
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mike
commented
I can have people send documents to my person onedrive using dropittome. why not just add the some functionality to office 365?
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Bryce Hansen
commented
It's been almost 2 years since MS said they were thinking about it.....but no functionality yet. Come on MS!
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Anonymous
commented
Cant believe this function is not in OneDrive yet... most of the other cloud file services have it. I'm still having to use Citrix Sharefile to do this.
Are you listening MS developers?
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mtg
commented
Any Idea when we will be able to request files. That's really the only deal breaker with OneDrive.
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Dub
commented
I'm really liking OneDrive, keep up the good work! This is the one feature that keeps me from switching. Please add File Request's!!!!
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Guido Peter
commented
This is the only reason, why we still cannot switch from Citrix ShareFile to OneDrive. We need the functionality to send an upload invitation, without the need for a Microsoft account.
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Anonymous
commented
Inside my organization I don't need OneDrive, our internal email allows for large files or people can put their files in network shared folders that already exit for this purpose, it's been like that forever. Sharing files with myself at home is a valid use case but it competes against me just taking my laptop home and using VPN because most of the time I need more than just the file. So what compelling use case is left for OneDrive? Oh wait, they don't think it's important... let me know when they do, in the meantime I'll use something else
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Anonymous
commented
Why don't they have this yet?
