How to Get a Direct Google Drive Video File Link

How to Get a Direct Google Drive Video File Link

Pentas can play Google Drive videos inside the project review screen, but only when the submitted link points to the actual video file. A Google Drive folder link cannot be played directly.

Correct Link Format

A direct Google Drive video file link usually looks like this:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/FILE_ID/view?usp=sharing

Wrong Link Format

A Google Drive folder link usually looks like this:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/FOLDER_ID?usp=sharing

Folder links are useful for supporting documents, but they should be placed in the Evidence URL field, not the Video URL field.

How to Get the Correct Link

1. Open Google Drive.
2. Open the folder that contains your project video.
3. Right-click the actual video file, for example project-demo.mp4.
4. Click Share.
5. Under General access, change Restricted to Anyone with the link.
6. Set the role to Viewer.
7. Click Copy link.
8. Paste that copied file link into the Video URL field in Pentas.

Quick Check Before Submitting

• If the link contains /file/d/, it is usually the correct direct video file link.
• If the link contains /drive/folders/, it is a folder link and cannot be used as the video link.
• Open the copied link in a private or incognito browser window. If the video opens without asking you to log in, the sharing permission is correct.

Tip: You may still use a Google Drive folder link for supporting files. Put folder links in Evidence URL.