Forcing Direct Downloads with Google Drive

Audio Nate

Google Drive is great in all aspects except for the fact that you can’t just email out a direct download link. It’s nice to be able to send files to someone and only have the option for download rather than having it render in the browser.

Most people prefer to use Dropbox or a file transfer site like Hightail, WeTransfer, or DropSend which are all great options but if you’re already utilizing Google’s services doesn’t it make sense to just send a download link directly out of drive? Hopefully this is a feature that Google will someday add to it’s user interface but until then we have a quick solution.

For this to work properly you will need to share the file publicly and allow anyone with the URL to view/access the files. Creating a quick edit of the URL will essentially force the browser to automatically download the files.

The below examples work for files that have no Drive equivalent such as .zip, .mp3, .mp4, and .jpg. All you have to do is make note of the FILE_ID in the original URL and use it in the modified URL.

Force Direct Download from Google Drive share

Typical Drive Share URL:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/FILE_ID/edit?usp=sharing

Direct Link Format:
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=FILE_ID

Google services such as Docs, Sheets, and Presentations require a slightly different modified URL. Check the quick edits below to force a direct download of those particular file types.

Google Docs

Typical Docs Share URL:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/FILE_ID/edit?usp=sharing

Direct Link Format:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/FILE_ID/export?format=doc (to download Word file) https://docs.google.com/document/d/FILE_ID/export?format=pdf (to download PDF)

Google Sheets

Typical Sheets Share URL:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/FILE_ID/edit?usp=sharing

Direct Link Format:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/FILE_ID/export?format=xlsx (to download Excel file) https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/FILE_ID/export?format=pdf (to download as PDF)

Google Presentations

Typical Presentations Share URL:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/FILE_ID/edit?usp=sharing

Direct Link Format:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/FILE_ID/export/pptx (to download PowerPoint) https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/FILE_ID/export/pdf (to download PDF)