Learn how to share timelines, what happens when someone shares a timeline with you, and how to manage your sharing settings.
How to share a timeline
You can share timelines from three places: Folio Chrome extension, web app, or the timeline website. The process is similar in each location.
From the Chrome extension
Open the Smart Folder for your transaction
Click the Share button in the timeline section
Enter the email addresses of people you want to share with
Choose their permission level:
Edit: Can add, edit, and delete events
View only: Can only view the timeline
Click the Preview Invite tab to see the email they'll receive
When all set, click Save changes
From the web app
Navigate to your Smart Folder
Click the Share button in the timeline view
Add email addresses in the sharing modal
Select permissions (Edit or view only)
Review the invitation preview
Click Save changes
From the web timeline
Open your timeline
Click the Share button at the top
Enter recipient email addresses
Set permissions (Edit or View only)
Preview and Save changes to send
Permissions explained
Editor access
Add, modify, and delete events
Share the timeline with others
Account required
Automatic Smart Folder creation (if they're a Folio user)
Viewer access
View all timeline events and details
Cannot make any changes
Perfect for clients and third parties
No account required
Automatic Smart Folder creation (if they're a Folio user)
The client’s experience
Clients have a simplified experience designed for easy access without technical barriers.
When you share your timeline with your client, the client will receive an invitation email with your message and a personalized, unique link. If you have uploaded a logo to your profile settings, your logo will appear in the timeline invite.
Clicking the link will take them directly to the timeline, no account or sign-in required. They can access the timeline from any device anytime, and the link will never expire.
If your client views the timeline from their mobile browser, they have the option to sign up for text messages about timeline updates and reminders.
Receiving a shared timeline
What happens when someone shares a timeline with you depends on your role, whether you have a Folio account, and whether you already track that transaction.
If you have an account and don’t have an existing Smart Folder
When a timeline is shared with you and you don't have a Smart Folder for that address, a Smart Folder will automatically be created in your account. You will receive an invitation email with a personalized link that will take you directly to the timeline.
If you have the Chrome extension installed, you see a notification banner in the timeline sidebar.
If you navigate to the web app, a tooltip will appear, confirming the addition.
Timeline events will sync to your calendar instantly, and you can start collaborating on the timeline straight away.
If you have an account and you have an existing Smart Folder
When you already have a Smart Folder for the same address, Folio detects the conflict and shows a warning in the timeline sidebar, web app, and timeline page.
You will see these options:
Use shared timeline: Permanently replaces your timeline with the shared one
Keep my timeline: Continue using your existing timeline
Preview shared timeline: Review the shared timeline in a new tab and decide whether to switch to it or keep your existing one
As an Editor who does not have a Folio account
If you don't have a Folio account yet:
Click the invitation email link
The timeline opens in your browser
You'll see a banner inviting you to sign up for full editor access
Once you create an account and sign in, the Smart Folder will automatically be added to your account
Full editing capabilities become available
As a Viewer who isn’t signed in to Folio
If you're not logged into Folio:
Click the invitation link
Timeline opens in view-only mode immediately
See a banner suggesting that you sign in for better features
Timeline remains accessible without signing in
Email notifications
When someone you invited accesses the timeline for the first time, you will receive an email notification confirming they've viewed it. This helps you track engagement and follow up if needed.
Managing automatic Smart Folder creation
Control how shared timelines are added to your account.
Go to Settings in your Folio account: https://www.amitree.com/folio/settings
Find "Timeline invitations"
Toggle based on your preference:
On (default): Smart Folders are created automatically when you’re invited to a timeline
Off: Invitations require manual acceptance, in order to add the timeline to your account and sync it to your calendar
When enabled (recommended):
Shared timelines instantly appear in your account
Calendar events sync automatically
No action needed on your part
When disabled:
Invitations appear as "pending" and must be manually accepted or rejected
Useful if you want more control