Disable 'Add a Page' permission in SharePoint

Question

I have created a new permission for external contractors to access a SharePoint site and perform specific actions, but I want to disable their ability to 'Add a Page'. Is there a way to do this?

The users should be able to read pages, add and edit list items, and add/view/download/delete items in specific folders that I have specified. Here is an attached image of the permission levels and their use with permissions.

Answer 1

How you can disable the 'Add a Page' permission for external contractors while still allowing them other specific actions:

1. Create a custom permission level:
   • Go to Site Settings > Site Permissions > Permission Levels
     • Click "Add a Permission Level"
       • Give it a name like "External Contractor Access"
2. Configure the custom permission level:

• Include these permissions:
• List Permissions: Add Items, Edit Items, Delete Items, View Items, Open Items
• Site Permissions: View Pages, Browse User Information
• Personal Permissions: Create Personal Views, Use Self-Service Site Creation
• Importantly, do NOT include the "Add and Customize Pages" permission
  1. Apply the custom permission level:
     • Go to Site Settings > Site Permissions
     • Create a new group for external contractors or select an existing one

        - Assign the newly created "External Contractor Access" permission level to this group
       

       • Add external contractors to the group:
       • Invite the external users and add them to the group with the custom permission level

This setup will allow external contractors to:

• Read pages
• Add, edit, and delete list items
• Add, view, download, and delete items in specified folders (you'll need to set folder-level permissions separately)

More:
https://o365reports.com/2024/04/02/create-custom-permission-levels-in-sharepoint-online/
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/external-sharing-overview

Answer 2

Hi @OESteve ,

I tested it and encountered the same situation as you. This is because Add and Customize Pages - Add, change, or delete HTML pages or Web Part Pages, and edit the Web site using a Microsoft SharePoint Foundation-compatible editor is mainly for the page of Classic experience. It is useless for modern experience. Moreover, the page is also stored in the library and can be regarded as a file, that is, a special item. Therefore, as long as you check Add items, this permission level can also add a page.

I have a workaround for your reference:

You first break the permission inheritance of the Site Pages library, and then grant these users the Read permission to the Site Pages library. In this way, the New button in the Site Pages library will be removed.

Even if there is still an entrance to Add a page elsewhere, you will receive an Access Denied prompt when you click it.

At the same time, these users can view the pages in the Site Pages library.

For your references:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/customize-permissions-for-a-sharepoint-list-or-library-02d770f3-59eb-4910-a608-5f84cc297782

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/share-sharepoint-files-or-folders-1fe37332-0f9a-4719-970e-d2578da4941c?ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us

Good day!

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