Forum Discussion
Is it possible to restrict download and print of PDF files in SharePoint online?
HelloSunilK90
As per my expierence, yes you can restrict the files download on SharePoint Online, by gaving view only permission, which prevent end user from downloading files on Sharepoint.
View Only permission include view pages, items, and documents. Any document that has a server-side file handler can be viewed in the browser but not downloaded. File types that do not have a server-side file handler (cannot be opened in the browser), such as video files, .pdf files, and .png files, can still be downloaded. for more Info, please refer to following article https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/understanding-permission-levels
unfortunately, his Option is available only on the Sharepoint root site, which means you can assign this permission level to the members on the root site, then inherit the permission.
But as i saw, you want to restrict PDFs only, which can be achieved also using IRM SharePoint Policy.
IRM stand for Information Rights Management, and can use to restrict Office apps ex. prevent files from printing, Outlook ex. to prevent and protect specific emails from being forward for also Exchange Online and Sharepoint.
Set up Information Rights Management (IRM) in SharePoint admin center:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/compliance/set-up-irm-in-sp-admin-center?view=o365-worldwide
Apply Information Rights Management (IRM) to a list or library
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/compliance/apply-irm-to-a-list-or-library?view=o365-worldwide
please let me know if i could help you 🙂
- SunilK90Mar 10, 2020Copper Contributor
Hi Mahhus,
Thank you for your reply. I have tried out what you've mentioned already. When I enable IRM, I'm unable to view the PDF file in the browser. I get a message saying that no preview is available. Though the download and print is restricted, my main purpose is to be able to still view the PDF file and that isn't happening.
Please let me know if you know about this.
Thank You
Regards
Sunil
- MahhusMar 10, 2020Copper Contributor
Hi SunilK90
Have you tried to restrict downloading the office files like excel, or word using the IRM, if not please check and provide me your feedback.
You mentioned also that you are not able to view the PDF in the browser, which is your main purpose, could you check if you can download the PDF file or not ?
could you try using another PDF ?
please provide me screenshot from the affected PDF which cannot be opend in the browser
Best Regards,
Mahhus
- SunilK90Mar 11, 2020Copper Contributor
Hi Mahhus,
I've managed to restrict download and print for MS office files like word, excel and powerpoint using view only permission and IRM.
My main purpose is that a person under a group with view only permissions should be able to view the PDF file in the browser, but not download or print the file.
I noticed that upon doing this the PDF file says it is protected and cannot be downloaded by another user with view only permissions.
Thanks
Regards
Sunil