> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.docsiv.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sharing Documents

> Share documents with clients via the portal or a direct link.

There are two ways to share a document with a client:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Client portal" icon="grid-2">
    Assign a document to a client so it appears in their portal when you mark it as sent.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Direct link" icon="link">
    Share a direct link to the document viewer for clients who already have portal access.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Share via the client portal

The portal approach gives the client a central place to see all documents you have shared with them. Documents are only visible once their status is **sent** or later.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Assign the document to a client">
    When creating a new document, select a client from the **Client** field in the new document dialog.

    If the document already exists, open it and go to **Settings → Client** to assign or change the client.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the document status to Sent">
    In the document editor or from the document list, change the document status to **Sent**. This makes it visible to the client in their portal.

    A document in **Draft** status is not visible in the portal regardless of whether it is assigned to a client.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invite the client to their portal">
    If the client has not received a portal invite yet, open the client detail page at **Dashboard → Clients → \[Client name]** and click **Send portal invite**.

    The client receives an email with a magic link. On first login they set a password and can then sign in directly on future visits.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The client portal requires a **Pro or Agency plan**. On the Free plan you can still assign documents to clients for your own organization, but you cannot send portal invites or enable the portal.
</Note>

## Document status and client visibility

Document status controls what clients can see in the portal and helps you track where each document is in its lifecycle.

| Status    | Visible to client | Meaning                                  |
| --------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| Draft     | No                | Work in progress, not shared             |
| Sent      | Yes               | Shared with the client                   |
| Open      | Yes               | Client has opened the document           |
| Commented | Yes               | Client has left a comment or suggestion  |
| Signed    | Yes               | Client has signed (contracts only)       |
| Archived  | Yes               | Engagement closed; document is read-only |

Change a document's status from the document editor or from the status dropdown on the document card in the dashboard.

<Tip>
  Use **Draft** to keep a document private while you are still working on it. Switch to **Sent** when you are ready for the client to see it.
</Tip>

## Share via a direct link

If you prefer to share a document without requiring the client to log in, you can copy a direct link to the document.

The direct link format is:

```
https://[your-handle].docsiv.com/client/[client-slug]/d/[documentId]
```

Copy the link from the document's share settings and send it to your client by email, chat, or any other channel.

<Note>
  Direct document links still require the client to be signed in to their portal to view the document. The link routes to the portal document viewer at `/client/[slug]/d/[docId]`.
</Note>

## Track who viewed documents

Use the **Analytics** section of your dashboard to see when a document was opened and by whom. Document status automatically advances to **Open** when the client views the document in the portal.

Analytics is available on the **Pro and Agency plans**.

## Related

* [Managing Clients](/clients/managing-clients)
* [Client Portal](/clients/client-portal)