Overview
Google Drive offers Shared Expiration Dates for files, allowing users to grant temporary access to collaborators. With this feature, permissions are automatically rescinded at a designated time selected by the file owner.
This functionality is particularly useful for temporary collaborations where long-term access is not required. Common use cases for Shared Expiration Dates include:
- Group projects with defined end dates.
- Committee meetings requiring access to sensitive documents for a limited window.
- Study groups collaborating on shared materials for a specific semester or exam period.
How to
- Open a file in Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides.
- Click Share > find the user you'd like to give temporary permissions to.
- If you haven't shared the file with that person yet, add the user's email and click Send or Share. At the top right of the document, click Share again.
- Next to the person's name, click the Down arrow ˅ then > Add expiration.
- Next to "Access expires," click a date to set as the expiration date. Choose a date within one year of the current date.
- Click Save.
More instructions about file sharing can be found here at the Google Support Page: Stop, limit, or change sharing
Important Notes
- If you share a file with people, the owner and anyone with edit access can change sharing permissions and share the file.
- If you don’t want anyone to publicly access your file, stop publishing the file.
- If you remove or reduce access for a person who has access to the item’s folder, the permission is either removed or changed for the entire folder.
The Help Desk
Need more help? Contact us!
- Enter a Service Request here on this page to route your request to the right expert.
- Call the ITS Info Desk at 717-358-6789.
- Stop by and see us in Martin Science Library.