Google Docs: Put an Expiration Date on Sharing

In 'Mission: Impossible', Ethan Hunt's top-secret messages self-destruct in five seconds. He's got just enough time to get away before they cause injury, but the practice ensures these messages will never end up in the wrong hands.

G-Suite products such as Docs, Slides, and Sheets allow for fantastic collaboration, but collaborators may not need to have access forever. To solve this problem, you can set an expiration date on document sharing and, unlike Ethan, you don't have to worry about an explosion!

Here's how to do it:

1. Open the document you'd like to share.

2. Near the top right corner, click the 'Share' button.

3. Enter the name or email address of the person you'd like to share the document with, select whether they are able to edit, comment, or view the document, and then click 'Send'.

4. Click the 'Share' button again and then click 'Advanced'.

5. Hover the cursor just to the left of the pencil, eye, or comment icon until you see a small, gray clock icon appear. Then, click it.

6. Choose to have the document sharing end after 7 days, 30 days, or choose a custom time and then click 'Save changes'.

7. The message will now self-destruct for your collaborators after the amount of time you've selected!