# View only file sharing: share files without allowing downloads

View only lets recipients preview a transfer's files in the browser, without a download button.

View only lets a recipient look at the files in a transfer in the browser, without a download. Use it when someone needs to see, watch or listen to a file but should not take a copy. The setting belongs to a file transfer, so it applies to the people who open that transfer link.

## How it works

Set the transfer to view only when you create it on [Transfers](/dashboard/transfers). When the recipient opens the transfer link, the files open in a preview in the browser, and the Download button at the top of the transfer page is not shown. The Copy Link button stays on the page.

A direct download link does not work for a view-only transfer. Opening one returns an error instead of starting a download, and downloading a video from a view-only transfer is refused too. Direct download links are described in [Direct download links in Tarkle](/help/file-sharing/direct-download-links-in-tarkle).

View only is set on each transfer. To download files from your library, select them in [Files](/dashboard/files) and click Download, as described in [How to download several files at once](/help/storage/download-several-files-at-once).

## Supported file types

Tarkle previews these formats in the browser:

- **Images:** JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, SVG, BMP, AVIF, ICO and TIFF
- **Video:** MP4, M4V, MOV, WebM, OGV, MKV, 3GP and 3G2
- **Audio:** MP3, WAV, OGG, OGA, OPUS, FLAC, AAC and M4A
- **Documents:** PDF, DOCX, DOC, XLSX, Markdown, and text files such as TXT, CSV and JSON
- **Archives:** ZIP files

A video that uses a format or codec the recipient's browser cannot play will not play.

## Common uses

- **Design previews:** Share a mockup or visual concept with a client for feedback, without giving them the image file.
- **Audio and video review:** Send a music track, podcast episode or video cut for approval.
- **Document review:** Share a contract, proposal or report that the recipient reads in the browser.

## Restrictions

A paid transfer cannot be view only. Tarkle refuses to create a paid transfer with View only turned on, because a paid transfer gives the buyer download access. Paid transfers are described on [Paid transfers](/features/paid-transfers).

A view-only transfer cannot be used as a direct download link, because a direct link only starts a download.

To limit who can open a transfer at all, read [How to limit a transfer to one client organization](/help/access-control/how-to-limit-a-transfer-to-one-client-organization).

## Related articles

- [View-only transfers](/features/view-only-transfer)
- [Preview files in the browser](/features/file-previews)

Source: https://tarkle.com/help/access-control/view-only-file-sharing-share-files-without-allowing-download