Sharing and Permissions

Last updated: February 10, 2026

Metal gives you control over who can access your folders and the files within them. You can keep files private to yourself, share them with specific colleagues, or make them available to your entire organization.

Access Levels

Every folder has one of two access levels:

Restricted (Lock Icon)

  • Only the owner and explicitly shared users or teams can access the folder and its contents.

  • New folders default to Restricted.

  • Ideal for sensitive documents, deal files, or personal research.

Global (Globe Icon)

  • All members of your organization can view the folder and its contents.

  • Useful for shared research libraries, templates, or firm-wide resources.

You can switch between Restricted and Global at any time from the sharing dialog.

Sharing a Folder

To share a folder with specific people:

  1. Open the folder from Shared Folders.

  2. Click the Share button (or access folder settings).

  3. In the sharing dialog:

    • Search for users by name and add them.

    • Search for teams and add entire groups at once.

    • Toggle between Restricted and Global access.

  4. Click Update to save your changes.

The sharing dialog shows all users who currently have access, with labels indicating their role:

  • Owner -- full control over the folder (create, edit, delete files and subfolders)

  • Shared User -- can view and access files within the folder

To remove someone's access, click the X button next to their name in the sharing dialog.

Owners vs. Shared Users

Capability

Owner

Shared User

View files and folders

Yes

Yes

Upload files

Yes

Yes

Create subfolders

Yes

Yes

Edit file details

Yes

Limited

Delete files and folders

Yes

No

Manage sharing settings

Yes

No

Delete folder

Yes

No

How Permissions Cascade

  • Folder access grants access to all subfolders and files within that folder.

  • Subfolder-level sharing allows you to share specific subfolders with additional users or teams beyond the parent folder's settings.

  • Files inherit their accessibility from the folder they belong to.

Integration Folder Permissions

For folders connected to file storage integrations:

  • Egnyte: Folder permissions from Egnyte are respected within Metal. If a user does not have access to a folder in Egnyte, they will not be able to access it in Metal either.

  • SharePoint and ShareFile: Access is determined by the Metal folder sharing settings. The integration connection owner manages which content is synced.

Tips

  • Start with Restricted for any folder containing sensitive or deal-specific documents. You can always open access later.

  • Use teams to share with groups of people at once, rather than adding individuals one by one.

  • Review the sharing dialog periodically to ensure only the right people have access.

What's Next

  • Managing Files and Folders -- Learn about the folder structure and organization

  • Uploading and Browsing Files -- Learn how to upload files and navigate the file browser