How to Access Shared Google Drive and OneDrive Files in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
Users are unable to see or access shared Google Drive and OneDrive folders directly through Adobe Acrobat's connected file locations feature.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to open, edit, or sign a PDF that has been shared via Google Drive or OneDrive directly from within Acrobat's cloud integration.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat only displays files saved directly to the user's personal drive, hiding folders or files shared by others outside the main drive area.
Ensure you have the necessary viewing or editing permissions from the file owner before attempting to access or modify shared Google Drive or OneDrive PDFs.
Sync Shared Folders to Your Local Computer
Use the desktop sync clients for Google Drive or OneDrive to make shared files accessible locally, allowing Acrobat to open them like normal desktop files.
Acrobat's built-in cloud storage integration is limited to your personal files and cannot read the 'Shared with me' directories via API. The most reliable workaround is to bridge the files using local sync tools.
Open your cloud storage via a web browser (Google Drive or OneDrive), locate the shared folder, right-click it, and select the option to add a shortcut to your own drive or 'My files'.
Ensure your Google Drive for Desktop or OneDrive desktop application is running and actively syncing to your local hard drive.
Launch Adobe Acrobat, go to File > Open, and navigate to the locally synced shared folder via your computer's file explorer to open the PDF.
Download the PDF Before Opening
If you cannot or prefer not to sync the shared folder, simply download the file directly to your local device before opening it in Acrobat.
Open and Edit Cloud PDFs Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a powerful built-in PDF editor that allows you to seamlessly open, annotate, sign, and convert PDF files from your local folders and synced cloud drives without expensive subscriptions.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your PC or Mac.
- 2. Sync Your Cloud Drive: Ensure your Google Drive or OneDrive app is syncing shared files to your local system.
- 3. Open the PDF: Launch WPS Office, click on 'Open', and select the PDF from your synced cloud folder.
- 4. Edit and Sign: Use the 'PDF Edit' or 'Sign' tools in the top ribbon to make your changes and easily save them back to the cloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I see shared Google Drive files in Acrobat's connected accounts?
Acrobat's connected file locations currently only support viewing and opening files uploaded or saved directly to your main personal drive. Files in the 'Shared with me' section are excluded from this direct API access.
Can I directly link Acrobat to a OneDrive shared folder?
No, direct integration with specific shared OneDrive folders isn't supported inside the Acrobat application interface. You must use the 'Add shortcut to My files' feature in OneDrive online to make them visible to syncing apps.
Do I lose my edits if I download, edit, and re-upload the PDF?
If you manually download the PDF, your edits will only be saved locally. To share the updated version, you must manually upload the edited file back to the shared folder and replace the original file, provided you have the right edit permissions.
How do I ensure changes to a shared PDF sync automatically?
Install the official desktop client for Google Drive or OneDrive, sync the shared folder to your local computer, and open the file directly from your local file explorer. Saving the document from your PDF editor will automatically trigger a sync back to the cloud.
