One of the most common requests I get is: how can I create a folder in OneDrive to allow students to upload files? Well, you could share a folder and give students edit permissions, but this might allow other student to view and edit their work. Until recently there hasn’t been an easy way to do this in OneDrive.
But Microsoft is currently rolling out a new “Request Files” feature in OneDrive which allows you to send a request by email or via a link to allow students to upload files to your OneDrive.
Using this new method has several advantages over using Teams or sharing a folder directly with students:
- It allows students to upload files without being able to view or edit any other files within your OneDrive
- Once a file has been uploaded it the student cannot delete or edit it — great for homework deadlines..
- Students cannot view or edit any files that have been uploaded.
- It’s really simple to use.
Time needed: 3 minutes.
How to send a OneDrive file request to your students
- Open OneDrive create a new folder
This currently only works within the web browser version of OneDrive.
- Right click your new folder and select request files
- Enter a name for the request that you’ll send to your students, then click next
For example, you might want to call it “Physics homework submission” or something similar that will make sense to your students.
- Send the file request to your students
You can now choose how you want to send the file request to your students. You can either use the “Copy link” option to email or share the file upload link in Microsoft Teams. Alternatively you can enter the email address or group of your students in the “Or you can send it via email” box along with a friendly message.
Now click “Done”.
- Your students can now upload files to the folder via the link you have sent them
When your students click the link they will be taken to a page similar to the one below. By clicking the “Select files” button they will be able to upload any files they choose to the OneDrive folder you selected in the first step.
