• Collaborator: An individual that has been invited into a folder. If you are a collaborator, the folder will appear when you log in to your Box account.
• Shared link: A unique URL that allows the recipient to access either a specific file or folder.

For a more detailed description of shared links, please see: https://cloud.box.com/sharedlinks

When should I invite someone as a collaborator versus send them a shared link?

• Collaborator: Invite an individual into a folder as a collaborator if you are actively working with them on a long-term basis. Collaboration provides a two-way relationship; depending on their access level, collaborators can view, edit, upload/download documents, leverage social workflows (comments, tasks, etc.), and receive updates on actions taking place in the folder.
• Shared link: Shared links provide a one-way relationship, allowing the recipient to preview or download the document or folder. They can continue to reference that link for the most up-to-date version of the content. Think of a shared link as a secure email attachment replacement.

Sharing in Box happens on the Folder level. The files within the folders can be viewed or edited by your collaborators, depending on the access level you give them. To add collaborators, follow these steps:

1. Mouse over the folder you’d like to share and click the drop-down arrow to the right of its name. Mouse over Share and then click Invite Collaborators.
2. In the pop-up, enter the email addresses of the contacts you’re inviting to the folder. You’ll also need to assign the invitees an access level based on the permissions you wish to provide foe each collaborator.

   Quick Tip: Collaborators have the same access level throughout a particular folder structure. For example, an editor in a top-level folder will be an editor in all the subfolders, too.

3. Select the access level they’ll need, then click Invite: A friendly invitation with instructions for joining your folder (or for creating a Box account, if they’re not already with us) will be sent, straight away.

Note: In order to retain control over a folder, remember to keep your access level at Owner or Co-owner.

Click the below images for more information.

You may want to simply share a file with someone as opposed to giving them editing permissions. Box will create a link to a file for you, so you no longer need to attach the file to an email to share it. This is a great way to share files that may be too large to send via email.

Here’s how to generate a link:

1. Mouse over the desired folder or file and click Share
2. In the space that appears below the item, you’ll see a URL next to Link to this file (or folder) – this is your shared link:
   
   
    
3. To share, copy and paste the secure link into an email or IM client, or whatever communication channel you have available