As a Guest User, you can view, download, print, and upload documents that your firm shares with you in SmartVault.
SmartVault works like a secure shared folder managed by your firm. Your firm organizes the folders and documents, while you can access the files shared with you.
This article explains how to:
- Access your files
- Find documents shared with you
- Preview, download, or print documents
- Search for files within your folders
Accessing Your Files
To access your files:
- Sign in to the SmartVault Portal.
- Select View Files and Folders on the left-hand navigation.
- You'll see the folders (called Vaults) that your firm shared with you.
Understanding Your Vaults
A Vault is a secure folder created by your firm to organize documents shared with you.
You may see vaults such as:
Public Documents Vault
This folder may contain general forms or documents your firm shares with all clients.
Personal or Company Name Vault
This folder is named after you or your company and typically contains documents specific to you.
Open a vault to browse its folders and files.
Finding Your Documents
To locate a document:
If you're looking for specific files, such as tax returns, here's how to find them:
- Open the vault with your name or company name.
- Browse the vault's folders to find the document you need.
- Click the folder to view the available files.
Folder names may vary depending on how your firm organizes documents.
Previewing a Document
You can preview a document directly in the portal before downloading it.
To preview a document:
- Navigate to the folder containing the file.
- Click the document name.
A preview of the document will open in your browser.
From the preview page, you can take the following actions:
- Click Download to save the file to your device.
- Click Actions
and select Open or Print PDF to open the document in your PDF reader or print it.
- Click Actions
Downloading a Document
You can also download a document directly from the file list without opening the preview.
To download a document:
- Navigate to the folder containing the file.
- Click Actions
- Select Download.
The file will download to your computer. Once downloaded, you can open the file and print it normally.
Printing a Document
To print a document shared with you:
Option 1 — Print from the Preview Page
- Open the document to display the preview.
- Click Actions
- Select Open or Print PDF.
- Print the document from your PDF viewer.
Option 2 — Download and Print the File
- Navigate to the folder that contains the document.
- Click Actions
- Select Download.
- Open the downloaded file on your computer.
- Print the document using your PDF viewer.
Searching for Documents
If you need to locate a file quickly:
- Use the Search bar at the top of the page.
- Enter the name of the document or keywords related to the file.
You can also sort files within a folder by clicking the Name or Last Modified column headers.
Important Notes About File Permissions
Guest users typically have limited permissions in SmartVault.
Guest users can:
- View documents shared with them
- Download files
- Upload documents to shared folders
Guest users usually cannot:
- Delete files
- Move files between folders
- Create new folders
- Change folder structure
If you need a file removed or a folder created, contact the firm that invited you to SmartVault.
Troubleshooting
I can't see a document that my firm mentioned
If a document is missing:
- Make sure you are signed in with the correct email address.
- Check all folders within your vault.
- Contact your firm if the document has not yet been uploaded.
Need More Help?
If you need additional assistance:
-
Password issues
See Changing or Resetting Your SmartVault Password -
Troubleshooting login or access problems
See the FAQs and Troubleshooting Guide for Guest Users -
Technical support
- Contact the firm that invited you to SmartVault, or
- Reach out to SmartVault Support