How to Allow SharePoint Users to Share Files with Edit Permissions
Question details
SharePoint users with edit access are unable to share files with internal colleagues using edit permissions.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user needs to allow standard SharePoint members to generate and share editable file links with internal users without granting them full administrative control over site permissions.
- Observed behavior
- Users can edit files themselves, but their sharing links default to 'View' only. They are unable to extend edit access to others unless they are granted the broad 'Manage Permissions' right.
Ensure you have Global Administrator or SharePoint Administrator privileges in Microsoft 365, as standard site owners cannot change site-level sharing permission settings.
Change the Default Link Permission in SharePoint Admin Center
Adjusting the default link permission at the site level allows internal users to generate edit links without needing broad 'Manage Permissions' access.
Although the setting is located under the 'External sharing' menu, it also dictates the default link type (View or Edit) for internal file sharing within the site.
You should avoid granting the 'Manage Permissions' right to standard users just to fix this sharing issue, as it gives them excessive control over the site's overall security and member access settings.
Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center using your administrator credentials, then click on 'Show all' and select 'SharePoint' to open the SharePoint Admin Center.
In the left-hand navigation pane, expand 'Sites' and click on 'Active sites'. Search for and select the specific site where users are experiencing the sharing issue.
In the site details panel that opens on the right, click on the 'Policies' tab, select 'External sharing', and then click on 'Edit'.
Locate the 'Default link permission' setting. If it is currently set to 'View', change it to 'Edit'.
Click 'Save' to apply the changes. Have an internal user test sharing a file from that site to confirm they can now successfully share it with edit rights.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't SharePoint site owners change the default link permission?
Microsoft 365 restricts these global sharing policies to Global Administrators or SharePoint Administrators to maintain organization-wide security and compliance. Site owners can manage local members but cannot alter the default link types established by the admin center.
Should I grant users 'Manage Permissions' so they can share editable files?
No. Granting 'Manage Permissions' gives users broad administrative control over site access, allowing them to add or remove members and alter security groups. Changing the Default Link Permission to 'Edit' safely solves the file sharing issue without escalating their privileges.
Does the 'External sharing' setting in the Admin Center affect internal sharing?
Yes. Even though the 'Default link permission' setting is located under the 'External sharing' policy menu in the SharePoint Admin Center, it dictates the default behavior for sharing links generated for both internal and external users on that specific site.
