Get Direct Download Link for Google Drive Files

TLDR

Use the below URL formats to share (public) file download links that skip Google Drive UI with someone:

• For Google Docs, use https://docs.google.com/document/d/FILE_ID/export?format=FORMAT

  • Supported formats
    • pdf
    • docx
    • txt
    • html

• For Google Sheets, use https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/FILE_ID/export?format=FORMAT

  • Supported formats
    • pdf
    • xlsx
    • csv (for a single sheet)
    • zip (for multiple sheets as CSVs)

• For any other files, use https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=FILE_ID

Retrieve the FILE_ID

1. Copy the share link to the file. It should look like

   • https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a2b3c4D5eFGhijk1234567890/edit?usp=sharing (Google Docs)
   • https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a2b3c4D5eFGhijk1234567890/edit?usp=sharing (Google Sheets)
   • https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a2b3c4D5eFGhijk/view?usp=sharing (for any other files)

2. The 1a2b3c4D5eFGhijk will be the file ID

Assemble the Link

Replace the FILE_ID and FORMAT (only needed for Google Docs / Google Sheets) from the link template in TDLR. Voilà!