Evernote Logo

The Evernote Blog

The Evernote Blog

Notebook Sharing and Collaboration: Phase 1

Product updates | By Andrew Sinkov
 

sharing-top

Update: Evernote for Mac gets sharing [read the post]
Update: Evernote for Web gets quick note sharing [http://blog.evernote.com/2011/03/29/the-shiny-new-evernote-web-redesigned-interface-expanded-note-sharing-options-and-more/">read the post]
Update: Evernote for Windows gets sharing [read the post]
Update: Evernote for Android gets sharing [read the post]
Update: Evernote for iOS gets sharing [read the post]

For the past year, we’ve had a single goal: becoming your second brain. We made it easy to capture and find all of your ideas and inspirations using (almost) all the devices you own. We’ve even been called “the anti-social app“, for our unconventional determination to focus on what’s on your mind, not just the mind of your friends. Ok, maybe we call ourselves that. Today, we’re broadening our view.

Now begins Phase 1 of our major effort to help you share (and collaborate on) the stuff you’ve collected with individuals, groups, and the world. Introducing, Evernote Shared Notebooks on Evernote Web.

What’s new?

Using Evernote Web, you can now specify individuals that are permitted to view, and in some cases modify, your notebooks.

How it works

In your Evernote Web account, you will see a new, blue Sharing section in the navigation panel. Click on “sharing setup” to begin the process of sharing your notebooks. Select the notebook you wish to share, then decide whether to share that notebook with individuals or the world.

There are two additional options under the “Share with individuals” category:

  • Share with individuals (view only)
  • Share with individuals (view and modify) – Evernote Premium feature

For added security, you can require log in, which means that the unique link in the email your invitees receive can only be used by a single person and they’ll be asked to log in before seeing your notes.

Modify my notes (Evernote Premium only)

While all users get the ability to share their notebooks, Evernote Premium subscribers can also grant modification privileges: add, edit, and delete notes. You don’t need to be Premium in order to perform the modification, but you must be Premium in order to allow for modification of your notebooks. It’s important to note that any additions will affect the notebook owner’s monthly upload allowance. Learn more about Evernote Premium »

Linking notebooks into your account

notelinking
We also made it really simple to keep track of any notebooks that have been shared with you. Whenever you visit someone’s shared notebook, you will see a “Link this to my account” button in the top right corner. Clicking that will add the notebook to your Evernote Web sharing section so you can jump back to the notebook any time you like. Try it now by linking this aspiring super villain’s notebook into your account.

New look

For those of you that published your notebooks in the past, you will see a new interface. The new look is closer to our standard web layout, and is much easier to scan and navigate. We also wanted to make sure that individuals unfamiliar with Evernote would get a consistent web experience throughout the application.

If this is Phase 1, what’s Phase 2?

You (our wonderful users) have been clamoring for selective sharing for some time. So, we decided to make it available in phases as we build out the functionality. Right now, notebook sharing functions are only available through Evernote Web. Soon, you will be able to share right from your desktop or mobile Evernote. Like with everything else we do, sharing will be everywhere. Our developer API has already been updated to support the new sharing features, and we can’t wait to see what you all come up with.

If you want to join us on the first step of this ambitious journey, you can do three simple things: (1) Make some notebooks that you want to share, (2) invite your friends, (3) tell us how to make Evernote better.

Update: Evernote for Mac gets sharing [read the post]

  • Eddie Marquez

    Although I’m not quite as beside myself as some of my fellow commenters, I do feel similarly duped regarding the sharing feature. Thankfully, I didn’t commit to the full year, opting instead to sign up for the monthly plan to limit my losses in the event of an unexpected wrinkle (such as this one).

    I wouldn’t have bothered teaching my wife how to use the iPhone app, nor would I have updated our accounts, had I known the limitations of the sharing feature. At worst, I’m out $10, but along with everyone else, I’d appreciate this feature available on iPhone apps sooner rather than later.

  • Hank

    Any update on sharing yet? Windows and Android

    • Andrew Sinkov

      We’re working on it.

  • Dan

    When sharing becomes available on more platforms, can it include a push notification or notification system that alerts others that there have been updates to the shared notebook?

  • Mark

    –02/07/2011 09:07AM
    –Michelle, sharing will be coming to all versions of Evernote soon.

    3/19/2011 – 2/7/2011 != soon

    – June 25, 2009
    – Soon, you will be able to share right from your desktop or mobile Evernote.

    3/19/2011 – 6/25/2009 != soon

    Don’t mean to add to the complainers here, but, come on Evernote. You just came out with a huge change to the iPhone client adding all sorts of very nice new features. The thing is, these may have been requested by some users, but most were not promised as a premium service. The sharing feature was, so this really needed to be bumped up in priority, IMHO.

    As a software developer myself, I’ve learned from two companies I respect. Apple and Barebones software.

    1. Never announce features until you release a product.
    2. Never give timeframes (even vague “soon” ones) for new products.

    I know you guys will get this right and people will chill out afterwards, but your marketing group might want to offer a carrot too. Maybe 10% off each additional premium account down to some minimum. Or a reduced renewal fee for loyal subscribers.

  • http://www.richardduffy.com Richard Duffy

    Syncing a shared notebook is now possible on the latest pre-release client for Windows – 4.3.0.4167

    Thanks to the team at Evernote!

  • Andy

    Sharing works great via the web and Mac app. However, those that I share some notebooks with would love to have mobile app (iPhone/iPad) access to these shared folders. Any chance this is coming down the pipe soon?

    Keep up the good work.

  • Steve Cameron

    Love the sharing that I can do via Evernote. I use the Evernote Mac client, my ‘partner in crime’ uses the Evernote Windows client and it flat out works! Thanks! And now for a request. We can transfer ownership of our Google docs but have not figured out how to transfer ownership of Evernote notebooks.

  • Ankit G

    Again , same question as many have already been asking here – When the SHARING thing coming for Android and Windows. Also lots of features in Mac r missing in other platforms , will they b ever available for Windows and specially Android !

Back to Top