> ## 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

> Share documents with clients and collaborators, manage access permissions, and track the document lifecycle.

You can share any document with clients, external reviewers, or teammates. Sharing is controlled from the **Share** dialog inside the editor. Open it by clicking **Share** in the top-right corner of the editor toolbar.

## Sharing with a client

<Steps>
  <Step title="Assign the document to a client">
    If the document does not already have a client, open the **more options** menu (⋯) and choose **Doc settings**. Select the client from the **Client** dropdown. This makes the document visible through that client's portal.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Share dialog">
    Click **Share** in the editor toolbar. The Share dialog shows all current access settings for the document.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set link access">
    Under **Anyone on the internet with the link**, choose a permission level from the dropdown:

    | Role            | What the recipient can do                           |
    | --------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Can view**    | Read the document only                              |
    | **Can comment** | Read, suggest edits, and leave comments             |
    | **Can edit**    | Full edit, suggest, and comment access              |
    | **No access**   | Link access is disabled (revokes any existing link) |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy the link">
    Click **Copy link** at the bottom of the dialog. The link is copied to your clipboard. Send it to your client by email or any other channel.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Clients with a Docsiv portal login can also access documents assigned to them directly through the **Client Portal** without needing a link. See [Client Portal](/clients/client-portal) for details.
</Note>

## Inviting collaborators

To give a specific person access rather than sharing a public link:

1. Type their email address in the **Type names or emails...** field at the top of the Share dialog.
2. Click **Invite**. The person receives an email invitation.
3. Their name and role appear in the access list. You can change their role or remove them at any time.

Collaborator roles follow the same permission model as link access: **Can view**, **Can comment**, and **Can edit**.

## Password-protecting a link

When a share link exists, a **Set a password** field appears in the Share dialog. Enter a password and click **Set**. Anyone opening the link will be prompted to enter the password before viewing the document.

To remove the password, click **Remove** next to the password field.

## Workspace access

If your document is inside a workspace, the **Anyone in \[workspace name]** row controls whether workspace members can open the document without an explicit invitation. Set it to **No access** to make the document private to you and any direct collaborators.

## Client portal visibility

When a document is assigned to a client, a row for that client appears in the Share dialog under **Client portal**. Use the role dropdown on that row to control what the client sees when they log into their portal:

* **Can view** — they can open and read the document
* **Can comment** — they can also leave comments and suggestions
* **Can edit** — they have full editing access
* **No access** — the document is hidden from their portal

## Document status flow

The document status tracks where a document is in its lifecycle. It updates automatically as clients interact with it, but you can also set it manually from **Doc settings**.

```
Draft → Sent → Open → Commented → Signed → Archived
```

| Status        | When it applies                                       |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Draft**     | You are still working on it; not yet shared           |
| **Sent**      | You have shared the link with a client                |
| **Open**      | The client has opened the document                    |
| **Commented** | The client has left a comment or suggestion           |
| **Signed**    | The client has completed a signature (contracts only) |
| **Archived**  | The engagement is closed; document is read-only       |

<Tip>
  Filter your Documents list by status to see exactly where each piece of client work stands. Use the **Sent** filter to follow up on documents that have been shared but not yet opened.
</Tip>

## Real-time collaboration

When multiple people have the document open at the same time, you can see each other's cursors and selections in real time. Changes appear instantly without needing to refresh.

<Note>
  All collaborators must have at least **Can edit** access to make simultaneous edits.
</Note>

## Pending access requests

If someone tries to open your document without access, they can request it. A notification badge appears on the **Share** button in the editor. Open the Share dialog to see pending requests and click **Approve** or **Deny** for each one.

## Shared with me

Documents that other people have shared with you appear under **Shared with me** in the left sidebar. Each document card shows a badge indicating your role — **Viewer**, **Commenter**, or **Editor**. Documents are grouped by the workspace they belong to.