Fix SharePoint Folder Move Errors Caused by Content Approval
Question details
Users are unable to move folders within a document library when the content approval feature is active.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to move or copy folders within or across document libraries that require content approval for items.
- Observed behavior
- The system throws an error and prevents the folder move action because the user lacks permission to move draft or unapproved items inside the folder.
Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions on the SharePoint site to modify library settings and update user permission levels.
Grant the 'Approve Items' Permission to Users
Modify the user's permission level to include the ability to approve items, which allows them to bypass the restriction and move folders containing unapproved content.
When content approval is enabled, folders often contain minor versions or unapproved items. Users without approval rights are blocked from moving these items, which causes the entire folder move to fail. Adjusting their permission level directly resolves this.
Navigate to the SharePoint site, click the Gear icon for Settings, and select 'Site permissions'. Click on 'Advanced permissions settings'.
Click on 'Permission Levels' in the ribbon menu at the top of the page.
Click on the permission level currently assigned to the affected users (for example, 'Edit' or 'Contribute').
Scroll down the list of permissions and check the box for 'Approve Items - Approve a minor version of a document or item'.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'Submit' or 'OK'. Ask the user to refresh their page and retry moving the folder.
Adjust Draft Item Security Settings in the Library
Change the library's versioning settings so that any user who can read items is also permitted to see draft items, reducing folder move restrictions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does content approval prevent moving folders in SharePoint?
When content approval is required, folders often contain unapproved or draft items. Moving a folder requires moving everything inside it. If a user lacks the 'Approve Items' permission, they are blocked from moving the restricted items, which causes the entire folder move to fail.
Can I disable content approval temporarily to move folders?
Yes. You can navigate to Library Settings > Versioning settings, set 'Require content approval for submitted items' to 'No', move the folders, and then re-enable the setting once the move is complete.
Does this folder move error affect copying folders as well?
Yes, copying folders that contain draft or unapproved items can also trigger similar permission errors, especially if the destination library has strict draft item security settings enabled.
How do I check if my SharePoint library has content approval enabled?
Navigate to your document library, click the Settings gear, select 'Library settings', and click on 'Versioning settings'. Look at the top option to see if 'Require content approval for submitted items?' is set to 'Yes'.
