Forum Discussion
Unable to Create a Rule on a Library with Contribute Permission
Hi the community,
I tried to create a rule on a document library where I have Contribute permission. However, when I click on "Create a rule", I get a blank window.
Strangely, with the same permission level on a list, it works as expected.
Do you know if this is a known limitation? Do you have any workaround to suggest?
Thanks in advance.
AnthonyLP This is a known issue. There is a lot of inconsistency between lists and libraries unfortunately.
With the retirement of SharePoint Alerts the SharePoint Rules need a complete overall to get them in a state where they are comparable. Another large limitation is that you can only create a maximum of 15 rules per library.
Currently, you only need Read access on a list or library to set up SharePoint Alerts which makes sense (you're not creating or updating list items or files, etc.). This is a massive blocker to replacing SharePoint Alerts as we would now need to provide users with Contribute or Edit rights which is absolutely not an option (least permissioins).
3 Replies
AnthonyLP This is a known issue. There is a lot of inconsistency between lists and libraries unfortunately.
With the retirement of SharePoint Alerts the SharePoint Rules need a complete overall to get them in a state where they are comparable. Another large limitation is that you can only create a maximum of 15 rules per library.
Currently, you only need Read access on a list or library to set up SharePoint Alerts which makes sense (you're not creating or updating list items or files, etc.). This is a massive blocker to replacing SharePoint Alerts as we would now need to provide users with Contribute or Edit rights which is absolutely not an option (least permissioins).
Thank you for the reply grant_jenkins.
Grrrr 🤬the 15-rule limit per library is still there. I remember seeing this limitation when rules were first introduced about four years ago, and I assumed it would be lifted over time — clearly, that’s not the case.
What’s even more frustrating is that, starting in September, users won’t be able to create alerts in SharePoint anymore. So what’s the plan, Microsoft?
I now tell end users to create a Power Automate flow instead… but honestly, I’m not a big fan of this workaround. Alerts were simple to set up and easy to maintain. Rules are a promising feature, but still not ready for real adoption.Really disappointed.
Privileges are elevated to the designer, and rules can be created.
