Linking to cloud files

Last updated: 29 September 2022

If you have files that are stored on a cloud-based service, such as; Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Vimeo or Youtube, it is now easy to add these files to DOCman.

When you add a new document to DOCman instead of uploading a file simply click on the " Enter a URL instead" link and add the cloud-stored file's URL in the document's "File" panel, then save your document.

Note: DOCman also supports ftp://, sftp:// and ssh:// protocols if the remote server has support for them.

With most cloud-based services it's possible to share files that are not public, you usually need to change the privacy settings of your file or account. You will then insert the privately shared url of the cloud file in DOCman, the url will not be available to your users, DOCman uses it internally only.

Here's how to do this with the following providers:

Dropbox

Files and folders stored on dropbox.com are private by default, you can create a shareable link to a file and use this link as the file's location in DOCman.

See https://www.dropbox.com/help/files-folders/view-only-access for more information on creating shareable links to your Dropbox files.

OneDrive

Files and folders stored on OneDrive are private by default, you can create a shareable link to a file and use this link as the file's location in DOCman.

See https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/share-onedrive-files-and-folders-9fcc2f7d-de0c-4cec-93b0-a82024800c07 for more information on creating shareable links to your OneDrive files and folders.

Google Drive

Files and folders stored on Google Drive are private by default, you can create a shareable link to a file and use this link as the file's location on DOCman. Once you have created a shareable link you will have to change the privacy settings for your video or audio file so that it is only accessible to Anyone with the link.

See https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2494822 for more information on how to share files from Google Drive.

View Google documents in the browser

DOCman understands Google Docs URL modifiers such as /preview. If you add /preview at the end of your Google document's URL DOCman won't download the document but instead, preview it in the browser.

DOCman supports the following Google G Suite URL modifiers:

/preview
/copy
/copy?copyComments=true
/template/preview

See https://www.joomlatools.com/blog/extensions/google-drive-url-modifiers for more information on Google G Suite url modifiers.

Vimeo

Vimeo allows you can share a video privately so only people with the private link have access. Your video must be marked as unlisted in Vimeo. Create a private link to your unlisted Vimeo video and use this link as the file's location on DOCman.

See https://vimeo.com/blog/post/share-unlisted-videos-with-private-links for more information on sharing unlisted Vimeo videos with private links.

Youtube

It's possible to share videos on Youtube that are not public, you need to change the privacy settings of your video or account to 'unlisted'. Create a shareable link to your unlisted Youtube video and use this link as the file's location on DOCman.

See https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/157177 for more information on sharing unlisted Youtube videos

Prevent files from being downloaded

To allow users to view cloud-stored files on your site through DOCman but prevent them from being downloaded, you should upload your files to Google Drive. The advanced sharing menu allows you to disable the ability to download, print, or copy any file stored in Google Drive.

See https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2015/07/disable-downloading-printing-and.html for more information on preventing files, stored on Google Drive, from being downloaded