SharePoint Library Permissions (Add/edit/upload/delete files without altering folder structure)

Question

Hello,

Is there a way to set up a security group in Microsoft SharePoint so that it has the same permissions as the default "Edit" permission, but users can't edit the folder structure? This is for a SharePoint site using the modern experience.

I've spent hours researching this (forms, documentation, testing, etc.) and I can't find a single way to do this.

Answer 1

Yes, you can create a custom permission level in Microsoft SharePoint that grants the same permissions as the default "Edit" permission level but restricts the ability to edit the folder structure. This approach allows users to add or edit items within the existing structure but prevents them from creating, deleting, or rearranging folders. Here's how to set it up:

Step 1: Create a Custom Permission Level

Go to Site Settings:

Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner of your SharePoint site.

Select "Site settings" or "Site permissions" from the dropdown.

Permission Levels:

Under "Users and Permissions," select "Site permissions."

Click "Permission Levels" in the ribbon to view all available permission levels.

Create a New Permission Level:

Click "Add a Permission Level."

Give your new permission level a name (e.g., "Edit without Folder Changes").

In the "Description" field, briefly explain its purpose.

Select Base Permissions:

To create a permission level similar to "Edit" but without folder modification abilities, select the following permissions:

List Permissions:

Manage Lists

Add Items

Edit Items

Delete Items

View Items

Open Items

View Versions

Create Alerts

Site Permissions:

Open

View Pages

Use Remote Interfaces

Use Client Integration Features

Open

Do not select "Manage Permissions" or "Manage Web."

Remove Permissions for Folder Structure Changes:

Avoid selecting "Add and Customize Pages" and "Add and Customize Folders."

Ensure "Manage Lists" is selected to allow editing items in existing lists but not adding new lists or changing the folder structure.

Create the Permission Level:

Once you have selected the appropriate permissions, click "Create" to add your custom permission level.

Step 2: Assign the Custom Permission Level to a Security Group

Add a Security Group:

Return to "Site permissions."

Click "Create Group" to create a new security group or select an existing one.

Assign a name and description to your group.

Set Group Permissions:

After creating the group, click "Settings" and select "Group Settings."

Under "Give Group Permissions to This Site," select your custom permission level (e.g., "Edit without Folder Changes").

Click "OK" to save your settings.

Add Users to the Group:

With the group created and permissions set, add users to this group as needed.

Answer 2

Hi @Quinton Richards ,

There is no good way to implement this. Because the folders and files in the default library belong to the item level, there is no way to distinguish them in the permission level, so there is no way to meet these two needs at the same time. You can try to change the Can edit to Can view by modifying the Manage Access setting of the Folder.

In this way, Group has no way to operate Folder. However, this will also cause the Group to no longer have Edit permissions on the files in the Folder. So as I said, there is no good way.

If you really want this feature, I suggest you go to Feedback. Microsoft values its customer feedback and a lot of features have been developed and suggested by customers via feedback. Your feedback is also very important.

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