{"id":113,"date":"2026-06-19T09:39:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T13:39:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.web.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/?page_id=113"},"modified":"2026-07-06T20:40:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T00:40:14","slug":"sharing-read-only-files","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/sharing-read-only-files\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharing Read-Only Files"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover fb-cover-text-box wp-duotone-black-and-white\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;min-height:100%;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-content\/themes\/flintblock\/assets\/images\/sidewalk-art.jpg\" style=\"object-position:50% 95%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"50% 95%\"\/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-90 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient has-blue-gradient-gradient-background\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-15d3db16 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-xx-large-font-size wp-elements-539e9ad0d6050622ff34c9c81780b818\">Sharing Read-Only Files<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><nav class=\"is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-bd946717 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Sidebar Navigation\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M4 7.5h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><path d=\"M4 15h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container\"  id=\"modal-2\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--has-modal-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--is-menu-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\"\n\t\t\t\ttabindex=\"-1\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-dialog\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"state.ariaModal\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.ariaLabel\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--role=\"state.roleAttribute\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Close menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-close\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.closeMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"m13.06 12 6.47-6.47-1.06-1.06L12 10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\"\n\t\t\t id=\"modal-2-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Home<\/span><\/a><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null, &quot;previousFocus&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/resources\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Campus Resources<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"Campus Resources submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/resources\/grackle\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Grackle<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/resources\/panorama\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Panorama<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/resources\/syllabus-template\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Syllabus Template<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/meeting-minutes-templates\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Meeting Minutes Templates<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/guides\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Best Practices Guides<\/span><\/a><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null, &quot;previousFocus&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Rethinking PDFs<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"Rethinking PDFs submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/shortcomings-and-frustrations-of-pdfs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Shortcomings and Frustrations of PDFs<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/myths-and-paths-forward\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Myths and Paths Forward<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/sharing-read-only-files\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Sharing Read-Only Files<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/converting-a-pdf-to-word\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Converting a PDF to Word<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/pdf-alternatives\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">PDF Alternatives<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/email-archive\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Email Communications<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/spg.umich.edu\/policy\/601.20\" target=\"_blank\"  ><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Accessibility Standard Practice Guide (SPG)<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Sharing a Google Workspace Read-Only File <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google Drive makes it simple to control your files while still giving your students and colleagues easy access. You can share any document, slide deck, or spreadsheet in a read-only mode so others can view it but not change it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 1: Open the File in Google Drive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.umich.edu\/\">Google Drive<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find and open the document, presentation, or spreadsheet you want to share.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 2: Open the Share Menu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the top-right corner, click the Share button.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 3: Get a Shareable Link<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the window that appears, look for the section labeled General access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the dropdown menu (it may say Restricted by default).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose University of Michigan (or Anyone with the link, depending on your needs).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 4: Set Access to \u201cViewer\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Once you\u2019ve selected the audience, set the role to Viewer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This ensures that students and colleagues can see the file but cannot edit it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 5: Copy and Share the Link<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click the Copy link.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/guides\/creating-accessible-descriptive-links\/\">Paste the link<\/a>&nbsp;in your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/canvas.flint.umich.edu\/\">Canvas course<\/a>, syllabus, email or any other location so your audience will always have access to the latest version.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Sharing an Office 365 Read-Only File<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As with Google Workspace, Office 365 offers the same option: you can share any Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file in read-only mode so others can view it but not change it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 1: Open the File in Office 365<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/umich-my.sharepoint.com\/\">OneDrive<\/a>&nbsp;and sign in with your University of Michigan account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open the Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file you want to share.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 2: Open the Share Menu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the top-right corner, click the Share button.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On the menu that opens, click the Share option.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 3: Get a Shareable Link<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the window that appears, next to the \u2018Copy link\u2019 button click the link settings \u2018gear\u2019 icon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose People in Umich (or Anyone, depending on your needs).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 4: Set Access to \u201cCan view\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Under More settings, make sure the permission is set to \u2018Can view\u2019.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click Apply in the bottom right corner of the window.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Step 5: Copy and Share the Link<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click the Copy link button.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/guides\/creating-accessible-descriptive-links\/\">Paste the link<\/a>&nbsp;in your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/canvas.flint.umich.edu\/\">Canvas course<\/a>, syllabus, email or any other location so your audience will always have access to the latest version.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sharing a Google Workspace Read-Only File Google Drive makes it simple to control your files while still giving your students and colleagues easy access. You can share any document, slide deck, or spreadsheet in a read-only mode so others can view it but not change it. Step 1: Open the File in Google Drive Step [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":26,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-113","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=113"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/113\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":982,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/113\/revisions\/982"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}