Sending files to other users, especially large files

Problem

• You need to send a file to another PowerPoint user and find that the file's too large to send by email because of limitations imposed by your email system or the recipient's.
• You're seeking help with a problem file on the Microsoft Answers forum or some other support group; you find people who are willing to help but they need to see your file. You want to make the file available to anyone willing to help.

Solution

If you have your own web site, you can upload the file to it and then send the URL to anyone who needs it so they can download the file.

If you don't have your own web site, you can use any of several free "file drop" sites. Typically these allow you to upload the file using your browser, then email a link to anyone you designate, or they may provide a link that you can copy/paste into a help forum message.

Here are a few such services you can try:

• Box
• Dropbox -- free, but requires signing in. Includes an add-in that can automatically download new files to your computer.
• Microsoft's OneDrive service: free storage for anyone with a Microsoft ID
• YouSendIt
• MediaFire
• FileFactory
• FileSavr
• FileDropper

There are others that may better meet your needs. See this Comparite blog post for a review of some of the other file sharing services.

Before sending a file this way, be sure to remove any information that you don't want to share. Double click any embedded charts, spreadsheets or other documents and presentatons to make sure that there's no proprietary information hidden in them, and also check the presentation's document properties.

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