Forum Discussion
Project Online licensing for external users
Based on the information provided and what I have seen elsewhere, that is correct any interaction on a Project Site requires a Project Online license, it doesn't matter whether it's an internal or external user, they require the appropriate licencing irrespectively.
https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/Using-Project-Online-with-external-users-F305A365-3D81-48BC-A3D0-4260E7326899
That means Project Online Essentials is the minimum requirement, that also covers the other bits that are part of the service - Microsoft Forms, Office Online, SharePoint Online & Sway (see the related screenshot in the link below). This article provides a lot of information including on licencing, with further details:
https://www.senseiprojectsolutions.com/2018/01/10/external-users-support-for-project-online/
Going back to the service description, you can see a breakdown of what each licence type provides to match with your requirements.
Thank you Cian Allner
One more query, If I create a separate Site collection(Communication site template) for external users to share documents/files, then it come under free of cost or still required "Project Online Essentials" license?
I'd check out the following article and the differences with Authenticated users vs. Anonymous users:
https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/external-sharing-overview-c8a462eb-0723-4b0b-8d0a-70feafe4be85
The key point is that Authenticated users are limited to basic collaboration tasks without requiring a licence, you can share sites and documents with these users who can use Office Online for viewing and editing documents. If they need greater capabilities you can assign a licence accordingly.
Thank you Cian Allner
Adding Mike Plumley
Could you please specify the Greater capabilities.
"If your authenticated external users need greater capability, you must assign them an appropriate Office 365 license. Do this in the same way that you would assign a license to an internal user"
Please correct me if I am wrong
"External users with Microsoft accounts, they can view, add, edit and delete lists, documents and pages". Also they can navigate sub sites or pages depending on the permission with out license.
They required license, if they need to do Admin activities, Design activities and Access desktop version.
Also please let me know it is applicable for Project site template also. i.e Project site under PWA(Project Web App - Office 365 Project Online)
Regards
Jenkins NS