---
title: "Request access"
description: "When a document isn't shared with you, ask its owner from the page. The owner gets an email and lets you view, lets you edit, or declines."
canonical_url: https://docs.markdrop.in/sharing/request-access
last_updated: 2026-10-30
prerequisites: [/get-started/accounts]
site: "Markdrop Docs"
index: https://docs.markdrop.in/llms.txt
---

# Request access

Opened a link and got "You don't have access yet"? You can ask the owner from that page. They get an email with your note and decide with one click, and you get an email when they do. Nothing opens until they say yes.

## Ask for access

You need to be signed in.

### Open the link
Signed in, you see "You don't have access yet" and the address you're signed in as.

### Check the account
If you were sent the link at another address, choose **Switch account** and sign in with that one first. It may open straight away.

### Add a note (optional)
Under **Message (optional)**, say who you are or why you need it, in up to 500 characters: "Hi, I need this for Thursday's review."

### Choose Request access
The page says "Request sent. You'll get an email when the owner decides."

If you've already asked, the page says "You've already asked for this" instead. You can have one open request per document.

### When Request access doesn't appear

| You see | Why |
| --- | --- |
| "This document is private" and **Sign in to open** | You aren't signed in. Sign in first. |
| "This document is password protected" | It's open to anyone with the link and the password. Ask whoever shared it for the password. |
| "You don't have access" with no button | The document can't take requests, for example because nobody owns it. |

On a workspace's own domain, like `docs.acme.com`, **Request access** takes you to the same document on markdrop.in, where you can send the request.

You can send up to 10 requests an hour.

## Answer a request

When someone asks, you get an email with their name, address and note, and three buttons: **Let them view**, **Let them edit** and **Decline**.

You can also answer in the app: open **Shared with me** in the sidebar. **Access requests** lists what's waiting; choose **Review** on one.

| Choose | What happens |
| --- | --- |
| **Let them view** | They're added to the document with **Can view**, as if you'd shared it with them. |
| **Let them edit** | They're added with **Can edit**. |
| **Decline** | Nothing is shared. |

Either way, they get an email with your answer. Only the document's owner can answer, and only while they own it.

After you approve, the person shows in the document's **People with access** list like anyone you added. To undo it, remove them there. See [Share with specific people](https://docs.markdrop.in/sharing/share-with-people).

> **Note**
>
> Approving never lowers someone's access. If they already had **Can edit** and you choose **Let them view**, they keep **Can edit**.

## Related

- [Who can open what](https://docs.markdrop.in/sharing/who-can-open)
- [Share with specific people](https://docs.markdrop.in/sharing/share-with-people)