How to Change File Permissions for Everyone on a Mac
Question details
The user needs to grant file access permissions to all users for specific files on a Mac, as Microsoft 365 apps do not have a built-in preference for this.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Sharing Microsoft Office documents across different user accounts on the same Mac without encountering read-only restrictions.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word lacks an advanced security preference to automatically grant every user full access. File permissions are strictly controlled by macOS depending on the file location, ownership, and group membership.
Before modifying system-level permissions, verify your exact folder path and back up all important documents, as incorrect recursive permission commands can damage macOS system folders.
Safely Modify Permissions Using macOS Terminal
Use the find and chmod commands in Terminal to carefully grant read and write access to specific document folders without altering sensitive system files.
Instead of using a blanket recursive command (like chmod -R) which can improperly change files and folders alike, using the 'find' command allows you to apply different permissions to directories and files. This ensures folders remain executable (accessible) while files get standard read/write access.
Navigate to Applications > Utilities and launch the Terminal application on your Mac.
Type the following command to give the owner and group read/write/execute access (775) to folders, replacing 'YourUsername' with your actual short username: sudo find /Users/YourUsername/Documents -type d -exec chmod 775 {} \;
Next, type this command to give the owner and group read/write access (664) to files, while giving others read-only access: sudo find /Users/YourUsername/Documents -type f -exec chmod 664 {} \;
Press Enter after each command. You will be prompted to enter your Mac administrator password to authorize the changes.
Use the macOS Shared Folder
Bypass complex Terminal commands by placing your Microsoft Office documents in the default macOS Shared folder, which is designed for multi-user access.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Sharing
Struggling with complicated macOS local file permissions? WPS Office provides built-in cloud sharing features that let you bypass local OS restrictions entirely. Share your documents via a simple link with customized view or edit permissions, ensuring everyone can access your files instantly.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office for Mac and drag the application into your Applications folder.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file directly.
- 3. Share via Link: Click the 'Share' button in the top right corner to generate a secure link with customized edit or read-only permissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set file permissions directly inside Microsoft Word for Mac?
No. While Microsoft 365 apps on Windows might offer specific sharing environments, Microsoft 365 for Mac relies entirely on macOS system-level permissions. You will not find an 'Advanced Security' setting inside Word's preferences to automatically grant full access to other local Mac users.
Is it safe to use chmod -R to change permissions on my Mac?
Using the recursive command (chmod -R) can be risky because it applies the exact same permission block to both folders and files. For example, removing execute permissions from a folder will lock you out of it. It is much safer to use the 'find' command to target directories and files separately.
How do I make sure new files created in the future have the right permissions?
Microsoft 365 preferences do not control future file permissions on Mac. To ensure new files inherit the correct access, you must configure the parent folder's group ownership and Access Control List (ACL) via Terminal, or adjust the macOS system umask settings.
