As you set up unique permissions for the files and folders in SharePoint and OneDrive, I am sure you have encountered one of the mysteries that confuses the hell out of people. What is the difference between Direct access and Sharing link options for a file or folder? In today’s article, I would like to explain both and clarify how the two are unique (though they seem to be doing the same thing).
Direct Access
I will start with Direct Access. Security in SharePoint is inherited. That means that the files and folders in a document library inherit permissions from the library itself, which in turn inherits permissions from the site the library is on. So when you click on Manage Access for a file or folder, under the Direct Access section, you get to see users who already have access to that file or folder by having access to the site itself. So it shows you that the Site Owner, Site Members, and Site Visitors have access to that folder (since they have access to the site). Essentially it shows you site-level permissions that you get to see when you click on Gear Icon > Site Permissions.
Sharing Link
This brings us to the Sharing Link option. In contrast to Direct Access, it is for situations when you want to give additional access to a given file or folder to people who do not have access to the site itself (direct access). For example, say John and Mary are site members; hence, they have access to the files and folders inside. However, I also want Lisa to have access to a file or folder without giving access to the whole site. That is where I can share a link and invite Lisa to just the file or folder I want.
Posted from: https://sharepointmaven.com/direct-access-vs-sharing-link-in-sharepoint-online/