Forum Discussion
Unable to Create a Rule on a Library with Contribute Permission
- Jul 12, 2025
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).
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).
- AnthonyLPJul 14, 2025Brass Contributor
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.