Sharing

Sharing is how you get feedback. Every document can be shared via a unique link — reviewers don't need a Sidenote account to leave comments.

Creating a share link

Open any document and click the Share button in the toolbar. Sidenote generates a unique URL you can copy and send via email, Slack, or wherever your reviewers are.

Permissions

When sharing, you choose what reviewers can do:

Can comment (default) — reviewers can view the document and leave annotations, reply to threads, and use labels. This is what you'll use for most reviews.

View only — reviewers can see the document and read existing annotations, but can't add their own. Useful for stakeholder sign-off or read-only distribution.

Password protection (Pro)

On Pro and Team plans, you can require a password to access the share link. Enable the Require password toggle in the share dialog and set your password. Reviewers will see a password prompt before the document loads.

Sharing documents in Sidenote

Sharing lets you collect feedback on any document via a unique link. Reviewers don’t need a Sidenote account to comment.

Creating a share link

1. Open a document.
2. Click the Share button in the toolbar.
3. Copy the generated URL and send it via email, Slack, or any other channel.

Links follow this format:

https://sidenote.ink/share/{token}

Each token is unique to that specific document.

Permissions

When you create a share link, choose what reviewers can do:

• Can comment (default)
• Reviewers can view the document
• Leave annotations
• Reply to threads
• Use labels
• Best for most review workflows
• View only
• Reviewers can view the document
• Read existing annotations
• Cannot add new comments or annotations
• Useful for stakeholder sign-off or read-only distribution

Password protection (Pro & Team)

On Pro and Team plans, you can require a password for access:

1. Open the share dialog.
2. Enable Require password.
3. Set a password.

Reviewers will see a password prompt before the document loads.

Use this when: