Fix Cannot Create a Folder in Synced SharePoint Library on Mac
Question details
The user is unable to create new folders within a shared SharePoint library that is synced to Mac Finder, despite being able to successfully create folders in personal OneDrive.
- Product
- SharePoint Online / OneDrive for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Attempting to organize files and create new folders within a synced shared SharePoint library via the Mac Finder interface.
- Observed behavior
- The option to create a folder is unavailable, grayed out, or fails in the synchronized shared library, usually due to read-only access restrictions.
Ensure your Mac is connected to a stable internet network and that the OneDrive sync client is currently running and up to date.
Verify and Update SharePoint Library Permissions
The most common reason for being unable to create folders in a synced shared library is lacking the necessary 'Edit' permissions on the SharePoint site.
SharePoint enforces server-side permissions locally on your Mac. If your account only has 'Read' or 'View' access to a specific shared library, the OneDrive client will prevent you from making structural changes, such as adding new folders, through Mac Finder.
Log into SharePoint Online through your web browser and navigate to the shared library. Check if the 'New' > 'Folder' button is available. If it is missing, your account lacks edit rights.
Reach out to your organization's SharePoint site administrator or IT support team to report the access issue.
Ask the administrator to update your account permissions to 'Edit', 'Contribute', or higher for that specific shared library.
Once the administrator confirms the permissions have been granted, wait a few minutes for the changes to sync to the OneDrive client on your Mac.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I create folders in my personal OneDrive but not in SharePoint?
Personal OneDrive gives you full ownership and edit rights by default. Shared SharePoint libraries, however, restrict actions based on the specific permissions assigned to your account by the site administrator.
How do I force OneDrive to sync after my permissions are updated?
Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your Mac menu bar, click the Settings gear icon, and select 'Pause syncing'. Wait a few moments, then select 'Resume syncing' to force the application to fetch your new permissions.
Does the Finder interface show if a SharePoint folder is read-only?
In many cases, the 'New Folder' option is simply grayed out or completely missing from the right-click context menu in Finder. You might also see a small pencil icon with a strikethrough next to files indicating read-only status.
Can I bypass read-only permissions by using the Mac Terminal?
No. SharePoint permissions are strictly enforced on the server-side. Local terminal commands or altering local Mac folder permissions cannot override server-level access controls.
