Enable Anyone with the Link Sharing in SharePoint Online
Question details
The user needs to enable Anyone with the link sharing for a SharePoint Online document library.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user wants to share documents from a SharePoint Online library using links that anyone can access.
- Observed behavior
- The Anyone link option is disabled in the SharePoint library, although other link types work and Anyone links are available in OneDrive.
Identify the SharePoint site that contains the document library and sign in with an account that can manage SharePoint sharing settings. Check your organization's security requirements before allowing Anyone links.
Allow Anyone links at the organization and SharePoint site levels
Use this approach when Anyone links are disabled for a SharePoint library despite working in OneDrive.
A site's sharing setting cannot be less restrictive than the SharePoint organization-level setting. OneDrive and SharePoint sharing policies can differ, so availability in OneDrive does not confirm that the SharePoint site allows Anyone links.
In the Microsoft 365 admin center, open Settings > Org settings > Sharing and review any applicable organization-wide sharing restrictions.
Open the SharePoint admin center and go to Policies > Sharing. Under SharePoint external sharing, select Anyone if your organization's policy permits it, then save the change.
In the SharePoint admin center, open Sites > Active sites. Search for the site that contains the library; if it is not listed, use the view selector to look for Microsoft 365 group-connected sites.
Select the site, open its Sharing settings, and set external sharing to Anyone. Save the setting.
Return to the document library, select a file, and choose Share > Link settings. Check whether Anyone with the link is now available.
Work with shared documents using WPS Office
WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative for editing documents in a familiar interface. Its Microsoft Office format compatibility helps you move existing files into WPS, though it does not change SharePoint sharing policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Anyone links available in OneDrive but not SharePoint?
OneDrive and SharePoint can have different external sharing settings. Check Policies > Sharing in the SharePoint admin center, then check the affected site under Sites > Active sites.
Can a site allow Anyone links if the organization blocks them?
No. A site's sharing setting cannot be less restrictive than the SharePoint organization-level setting. An administrator must first allow Anyone sharing at the organization level.
Where can I find a Microsoft 365 group-connected SharePoint site?
Open the SharePoint admin center and go to Sites > Active sites. Search for the site or use the view selector to find Microsoft 365 group-connected sites.
Does setting the default link type to Anyone enable external sharing?
No. The default link type controls which link is selected by default; the organization and site sharing policies must also permit Anyone links.
