Lesson 3 of 4 · 10 min

Document sharing

Share documents by requesting uploads and letting clients upload — no visibility toggle.

Lesson 3 of 4

Sharing documents with a client isn't a per-file switch. You either request documents from them (a secure upload link) or let them upload through the portal — and both routes make the file portal-visible automatically.

There's no "portal visible" toggle

There's no per-file "mark portal visible" switch on the matter page. Instead, a document becomes client-visible when a client uploads it through the portal, when a document request is fulfilled, or when a signature is captured on it. So the practical way to share is a Document Request; the practical way to collect is a portal upload.

  1. 1

    Request documents from a matter

    On the matter page, click "Request Documents". A modal opens titled "Request Documents" — "Send a secure upload link for this matter." This is how you ask a client to send you files without emailing attachments around.

    Request Documents sends the client a secure upload link scoped to this matter.
  2. 2

    Pick the recipient and send

    Choose a recipient (matter contacts with an email address appear as quick-pick chips, or type a name and email), describe the documents you need, and send. Sending needs your firm's work email connected — if it isn't, the modal shows a warning and a link to Settings › Integrations, and the send is paused until you connect one.

    Requests send from your firm's connected work email; connect one first or the send is paused.
  3. 3

    Let clients upload through the portal

    Clients can also upload files themselves from the portal's Documents area, which has a drop zone. Uploaded files land in the matter's Documents tab and are marked portal-visible automatically, and eligible file types can trigger Document AI. In the read-only preview the drop zone is visible but disabled — a real client sees it live.

Tips & pitfalls

  • There's no per-file "mark portal visible" toggle — a file becomes client-visible through client uploads, fulfilled document requests, or a captured signature.
  • Document requests send from your firm's connected work email (Settings › Integrations) — connect one first, or the send is paused.
  • Client uploads accept PDF, Office documents, images and more, and eligible types can trigger Document AI on arrival.

Key takeaways

  • Share documents by requesting uploads or letting clients upload — not by flipping a visibility switch.
  • Document Requests send a secure, matter-scoped upload link (needs a connected work inbox).
  • Fulfilled requests and client uploads are marked portal-visible automatically.
Branding your portal Forms and payments

Put the lesson into practice.

Book a guided session and our team will help you configure MatterFirst for your own practice.

Book a session Back to the Academy