Forum Discussion
Restrict root folder access in SharePoint Online
Dear all,
we're planning on moving some files and folders from a file server to a document library in SharePoint online. Let's image we create a folder structure like the following:
Document Library
| Folder 1 HR
| Folder 2 Marketing
Is there a way to prohbit users from deleting the folders in the root but allowing them to add and change content within those folders? In NTFS this is possible but from what I can see in SharePoint this cannot be achived - if I assign Edit permissions to a folder the folder and all its contents can be removed, if I assign only View to the folder nothing can be added to the folder.
I think this is not critical but if there is an easy way to accomplish I'd appreciate if someone gives me a hint.
Thanks
Michael
3 Replies
Hi layer9de - the easiest route may be to create your 2nd layer of folders in HR and Marketing and then granting edit rights to those folders while only allowing read rights on the top layer.
Kelly_Edinger Thanks - so in general I guess my assumption is correct I guess: In SharePoint we cannot separate permissions for folders and items withn a folder. That is, if a user as edit rights to a folder, the folder can always be edited / deleted as well. On a file server with NTFS permissions it's possible to configure ready only permissions to a folder but edit permissions to all contents within it. I guess this is not possible in SharePoint.
Based on your example: If I create a structure as follows:
Document Library <permission everyone view only
|
|- Folder HR < permission everyone view only
|- Folder Applications < permission Edit for HR
That means the folder HR cannot be deleted. However, everyone with edit permissions from HR could remove all folders from HR.
Thanks
MichaelThat is correct layer9de. You could also consider a custom permission level - 'contribute but not delete' and then apply that to the top level folders. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/how-to-create-and-edit-permission-levels
