How to disable downloads on shared documents but allow in browser editing

Question

How to disable downloads on shared documents but allow in browser editing

Smith, Matthew R 5

I have sensitive information that I need multiple people to be able to contribute to, but I don't want them to be able to download the excel sheet. We have had issues w/ compromised information in the past because when something is downloaded a copy is made on the device being used.

I want to put this info in an excel document in teams, and be able to provision those who have access to edit/add to this document, but I want to bar everyone but myself from being able to download or copy it in any way. Is this possible?

Emily Du-MSFT 51,836 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-06-19T03:14:50.1+00:00

Thank you for your question.

We are currently looking into this issue and will give you an update as soon as possible.

2 answers

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Emily Du-MSFT 51,836 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2023-06-19T03:14:50.1+00:00

Thank you for your question.

We are currently looking into this issue and will give you an update as soon as possible.

Answer 1

Emily Du-MSFT 51,836 Microsoft External Staff

Here are steps for you:

1.Go to site settings, activate SharePoint Server Enterprise features both in site features and site collection features.

2.Go to site permissions -> permission level -> view only -> copy permission level -> give a name to the new permission level, like "Edit without Download" -> Enable "Add Items" and "Edit Items" check boxes under "List Permissions".

3.Grant other users with "Edit without Download" permission level for the excel file.

Result of users with "Edit without Download" permission level, without Download option.

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shewe sis 0 Reputation points

2024-03-29T09:37:03.1366667+00:00

That's very helpful. I've successfully created the Edit without Download permission level on SharePoint and I've applied it to the group I've created. But my question is, how to grant users with the "Edit without Download" permission level for the excel file? After doing all of these things, when I right click the excel file (found inside the Documents) and go-to Manage access then Grant Access, I can't find the "Edit without Download" permission listed in the grant permission drop down menu. The only permissions that are still available are Can Edit, Can View & Can't Download. How can I get the "Edit without Download" option listed under here? Thank you!
mforeman9 0 Reputation points

2024-06-10T14:59:54.99+00:00

Can this solution also block users with this custom permission level from the "Save As" feature? Realistically, using "Save As" causes the same problems with offline versioning that downloading creates.
Prasanna Sawant 0 Reputation points

2025-01-03T13:30:42.4133333+00:00

where is site setting
Prasanna Sawant 0 Reputation points

2025-01-03T13:58:49.4133333+00:00

not able to understood
Jeff King 0 Reputation points

2025-05-16T17:29:30.7566667+00:00

@shewe sis I know your comment is over a year old so maybe you've figured it out by now, but the way to do it is to open the file in the web version, click on "Share," click "Manage Access," click on the ellipsis next to the exit button, select "Advanced Settings," select the check boxes next to the users you want to apply the custom access to, select "Edit User Permissions," and then you will see the custom access as an option.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

Alicia Stout 0

@Jeff King, I think Matthew R Smith and Shewe sis are stating they are wanting a restricted permission of "Edit but don't download" . When following your steps, I don't see the option of "Edit but don't download".
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How to disable downloads on shared documents but allow in browser editing

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