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File requests

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DocSend Support
  • Updated

Available on Standard | Advanced | Enterprise

Overview

You can request file uploads from your visitors, also known as external contacts, that will upload directly to your DocSend Content Library or Space using our File request workflow.

Note: External contacts can upload files without a DocSend account. 

Skipping Ahead

Types of file requests

File requests

Also known as a standalone file request has its own dedicated link. All files uploaded by external contacts using the file request link will be uploaded directly into a Team folder in the DocSend content library. Standalone file requests can be managed from the file requests page.

Space file requests

This is a type of file request that only exists in a Space, as such, can only be shared when a Space link is shared. These requests do not have their own dedicated link. When an external contact uploads files using a Space file request, those files will be immediately visible to anyone with access to the Space. To modify visibility, you can hide the file by disallowing access through the toggle button or, if one Advanced or Enterprise, use Granular Space Permissions. 

Create a file request

Standalone file requests have their own dedicated link! 

  1. Go to the file requests page
  2. Click Create file request
  3. Complete the fields listed and configure your desired settings.
  4. Click Continue
  5. Click Copy request link or Share from the file requests page. 
  6. Paste and send it off using a messaging platform of your choosing. 

File request settings

Standalone file requests allow for expiration and passcode security settings while Space file requests only allow for fields. 

Fields

  • Account Name (Recommended): The account/organization of the external contact  
  • Request Name (Recommended): The name of the file request, this is what your external contact will see. If left blank, the title will auto-populate to “Untitled File Request.
  • Message (Optional): This message will be included in the prompt for your external contacts.
  • Folder for the files you receive (Required): All files, including Space files, need to live in your DocSend content library. Choose where to house your external contact’s file uploads from the available folder options.

Settings

  • Require email to access (Required): By default, all file requests require the external contact to provide their name and email address to upload files. 
  • Expiration date: For more information, see Link Settings Explained. 
  • Passcode: For more information, see Link Settings Explained

Manage file requests

File requests can be managed through the file requests page where you can: toggle between company (all) and personal (my) file requests, see how many uploaders and uploads you received for each link, see Space file requests and which Space they are associated with, and see who created the link (owner). 

Owners and Admins can update file requests they created as well as member’s file requests but cannot update each other’s file requests. Members can only update their own file requests. 

Update file request fields and settings

To update file request fields and settings, follow these steps:

Note: Space file requests can only be modified from the relevant Space.

  1. Go to the file requests page
  2. Locate the desired file requests
  3. Click the ellipsis (...) to the far right
  4. Select Edit file request
  5. Update your file requests fields and settings
  6. Click Update file requests to save changes. 

Disallow/allow a file request

To allow/disallow access to file request recipients, follow these steps: 

  1. Go to the file requests page
  2. Locate the desired file request
  3. Toggle between the link accessibility button to allow/disallow access to the link. 

Receive a file request

Once your external contact starts uploading files:

  • You will receive an email notification that includes a direct link to the uploaded files associated with the file request. This notification will also include the uploader’s name, email address, file request account name, and location. 
  • A Space file request notification will take you directly to the Space associated with the Space file request. 
  • Files uploads using the file request workflow will be tagged with a yellow received tag. 

Delete a file request

Deleting your file request will delete the file request link and prevent any future uploads from external contacts. Any files uploaded prior to deletion will remain available in your account. Once deleted, the file request link cannot be reinstated. 

Note: Space file requests can only be deleted from the file requests page. Once deleted, they cannot be recovered.

  1. Go to the file request page
  2. Locate the desired file request
  3. Click the ellipsis (...) to the far right
  4. Select Delete
  5. Click Delete to confirm the deletion.

Recipient (external contact) experience

When you receive a file request link, you’ll be prompted to drag and drop files or select files from your device’s file picker.

Note: For information on acceptable file types, check out our Upload Files article. 

  1. Fill in the prompted fields: Name and email address. 
  2. Drag and drop files or select from your device’s file picker. 
    • Click +Add More to upload more files. 
  3. Click Upload File. 
  4. Once complete, you’ll have the option to upload more files by clicking Upload more files. 

The individual that owns the link will receive an email notification of the file upload(s). 

Request files in a Space (Standard, Advanced, Enterprise)

For more information, check out our Manage Content in Spaces article. 

Things to consider

  • With file requests, you may hide the request using Granular Space Permissions, but all other permissions are not supported. 
  • Optional file request fields are not required and when left blank will be called Untitled file requests. 
  • External contacts can select available files from their device, the option to upload from cloud upload providers is not available at this time. 
  • Visits to file requests won’t be shown in the Recent Visits dashboard, Account page or Contact page. 
  • File requests with a personal folder as the upload destination won’t be visible to team members, only the requestor and account owner(s). If the request doesn’t have a personal folder as the upload destination, it will be visible to all team members. For Enterprise accounts, file requests will be visible to users on the same subteam as the file request creator.
  • Internal visits associated with file requests will always be tracked regardless of the company setting configuration. 
  • Transferring a user’s Salesforce accounts over to DocSend are not supported at this time. 

Related reading 

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