Flat / Document hosting
Document hosting: share DOCX, DOC, ODT, and RTF files
Share a finished document without asking readers to install your word processor. Upload DOCX, DOC, ODT, or RTF from your browser or the CLI for a PDF reading preview and an original-file download.
Checking your upload limits... · Public · Limits
Drop your Document files here
or choose them from your device.
Select Document filesWhat readers see at your Document link
Flat converts supported word-processing documents to PDF for browser reading. DOCX, DOC, ODT, and RTF use the same preview workflow, with page navigation and zoom controls. The screenshot shows the sample proposal.odt after conversion.
The preview is a reading copy. Readers who need to edit the document can download the original in its uploaded format and open it with a compatible application. Fonts and layout can change during conversion, so check the result before sharing.
A single file opens in the viewer. Several files open in the explorer, where readers can choose a file. Public links need no Flat account. Original downloads remain available if a preview cannot load.
The main link opens Flat's viewer. The exact path /proposal.odt serves the original file, without changing its contents.
How to upload Document files and get a link
Prepare your file
Choose the format your editor and recipient use. DOCX is the current Word format; DOC supports older Word workflows. ODT is OpenDocument text, used by Writer and other editors. RTF is a rich-text exchange format whose supported features vary between applications.
Save the finished file with its images included, then reopen it in your editor to check the export. If readers only need a fixed reading layout, export a PDF yourself. Keep the source document alongside it when someone needs to edit it later.
Publish from your browser or terminal
In your browserGo to uploaderDrop, publish, copy the link.
Drop your finished files into the uploader above, or select them from your device. Enter your email if signed out, then choose "Publish files".
Selected files need unique names and publish at the top level. Use the CLI for folders; the browser uploader does not accept folders or extract ZIPs.
TerminalNode.js 20+One command. Files or folders.
npx -y @getflat/cli deploy ./proposal.odtReplace the example path with your file. Pass a folder to publish related files with their relative paths intact. The CLI prints the published URL.
Check before sharing
Compare the PDF preview with your saved document, including page breaks, tables, and images. Download the original and check it in the receiving editor when the handoff includes further editing.
Signed-out uploads expire after 1 hour by default. Sign in before expiry to keep them online, or sign in before publishing for no default expiry.
What you can share with Document hosting
Reports and proposals
Send a browser-reading link to a finished document, with the source available to recipients who need to work with it.
Templates and handouts
Let readers preview the content before downloading a copy to fill in or adapt in their own word processor.
Keep a version, or keep an address.
Share this version
Every upload gets its own link. Publishing revised files creates a new link and leaves the earlier version unchanged. Use the version link when someone needs to review a specific upload.
Update files at one address
Use a named onflat.page address or your own domain. Sign in, then publish with the CLI using --domain. Publish revised files with the same domain to point that address to the new upload.
Named addresses are included on Free. Adding your own domain requires a paid plan. The browser uploader does not set up or repoint these addresses.
Document hosting questions
Is hosting free, and what are the limits?
Yes. Signed-in Free includes 5 MiB per upload, 1 GiB of storage, and 5 GiB of monthly transfer, with no default expiry. The per-upload limit covers all files in that upload. Paid plans raise these limits.
Do readers need a Flat account?
No. Public links open without a Flat account. Anyone with the link can open the uploaded files. Password-protected links also require the visitor password.
Can I password-protect my upload?
Yes. Password protection is available on every plan. Add --password YOUR_PASSWORD to your CLI deploy command. It protects access to the upload and its files, but does not prevent someone with access from saving a copy. The browser uploader creates public uploads.
Can I replace files without changing the link?
A version link always refers to its original upload. For same-address updates, use a named address or your own domain. Publish revised files with the same --domain value in the CLI to point that address to the new upload.
What happens when an upload expires?
Flat stops serving it. An expired upload cannot be recovered. Signed-out uploads expire after 1 hour by default. For browser uploads, use the sign-in link shown after publishing. For CLI uploads, run npx -y @getflat/cli login. Complete sign-in before expiry to keep the upload online. If you chose a shorter expiry in the CLI, that deadline stays in place.
Which document format should I upload?
Keep the format that fits the receiving editor: DOCX for current Word workflows, DOC for a legacy requirement, ODT for OpenDocument text, or RTF for compatible rich-text exchange. The format cards below explain preparation and conversion details. Renaming a file does not convert it.
Do readers need the same word processor as me?
No, not for a successfully generated PDF preview. Editing the original requires a compatible application for that file format. Public reading links need no Flat account.
Can readers edit or comment on the document in Flat?
No. Flat provides a reading preview and original downloads. Make changes in your word processor and publish a revised file. The shared page does not provide collaborative editing or comments.
What if the preview looks different or cannot load?
The original remains available to download. Check fonts, images, and page layout in your editor, then export your own PDF if you need a controlled reading copy. Conversion does not run macros or fetch remote assets.
Can I share only a reading copy without the editable source?
Export and upload only a PDF. When you upload a DOCX, DOC, ODT, or RTF, readers with access can download that original file as well as view its preview.
How large can an upload be?
Upload allowances depend on your plan and cover all files in the upload. Compare current plan limits. Preview availability also depends on format and processing support. The original file remains available to download if a preview is unavailable.
Can I embed the viewer on another website?
Flat's generated viewer cannot be embedded in an iframe and keeps Flat branding on every plan. Link to the viewer for reading or to the exact file URL for the original.
Choose your document format
Find the guide for your document file.
Give your Document files a link.
Publish your file, check the preview, and share the URL.
Publish filesFree to start · View pricing