Fix SharePoint List Attachments Not Saving Without Edit Permission
Question details
Users are unable to successfully save attachments to SharePoint list items when restricted to Read and Add permissions.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Users with limited custom permissions (Read and Add) attempt to submit new list items containing file attachments.
- Observed behavior
- The selected attachment appears as unsaved during the creation process. After the item is submitted, the attachment is missing entirely and no error message is displayed.
Verify your current SharePoint site permission levels and determine if the affected list uses a default SharePoint form or a custom Power Apps form.
Test and Verify Custom Permission Levels on a New List
Ensure that the custom permission level assigned to users includes all hidden dependencies required to upload attachments during item creation.
SharePoint's granular permissions can sometimes prevent attachment uploads if users lack specific access rights, even if they can add items. Creating a test list helps isolate whether the issue is specific to a broken list or a restriction within the permission level itself.
Navigate to Site Settings and select 'Site Permissions' to review the custom permission level currently assigned to the affected users.
Click on 'Permission Levels', select your custom level, and ensure that both 'Add Items' and 'View Items' permissions are fully checked.
Go to Site Contents and create a new, blank SharePoint list specifically for testing purposes.
Apply the custom permission level to this new list, log in with a test user account, and attempt to create an item with an attachment to see if it saves successfully natively.
Troubleshoot Power Apps Customized Forms
If the list form was modified using Power Apps, the attachment control might not be configured to submit data correctly under limited permissions.
Verify Attachment Visibility in the Properties Panel
Confirm whether the attachment is truly failing to save or if it is simply hidden from the default list view paperclip column.
Enhance Your Document Workflow with WPS Office
While troubleshooting complex SharePoint permission issues, consider utilizing WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, comprehensive alternative for handling document collaboration and daily office tasks without the barrier of intricate server-side permission configurations.
- 1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office installer from the official website and complete the quick installation.
- 2. Open Existing Documents: Open your Microsoft Office documents directly in WPS Office, ensuring complete format and layout retention.
- 3. Collaborate Seamlessly: Utilize built-in cloud and sharing tools for simplified file collaboration across your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do attachments disappear when saving a list item with only Read and Add permissions?
In SharePoint, uploading an attachment during item creation can require secondary background permissions to update the newly created item. If a custom permission level strictly limits users to Read and Add without any Edit capabilities, the system may block the final attachment upload phase, resulting in an unsaved file without an explicit error.
How do I know if my SharePoint list uses a custom Power Apps form?
Go to your SharePoint list, click on the gear icon, and select 'List settings'. Under 'General settings', click on 'Form settings'. If the option 'Use a custom form created in Power Apps' is selected, your list form has been customized.
Does the default 'Contribute' permission level allow users to save list attachments?
Yes, the default 'Contribute' permission level includes all necessary rights to view, add, update, and delete list items. This inherently includes full support for uploading and saving attachments without issues.
