Permission & Access Issues

How to Create a Read-Only View in a SharePoint Online List

Guest Writer Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to configure a SharePoint Online list so that one specific view remains editable while another view restricts users to read-only access.

How to Create a Read-Only View in a SharePoint Online List

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing varying levels of user access and editing permissions across different views within the same SharePoint list.
Observed behavior: SharePoint list permissions natively apply to the entire list or specific items, meaning individual views cannot independently enforce read-only security restrictions.

Before you start

Verify your SharePoint site permission level; you must have Full Control or Design permissions to modify list settings, adjust inheritance, or change user access rights.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify Permissions at the List Level

Since SharePoint views do not act as security boundaries, the most reliable method is to restrict edit access for specific users directly at the list level.

SharePoint architecture treats list views strictly as visual filters and sorting mechanisms, not as permission boundaries. To prevent users from editing data, you must apply 'Read' permissions to the list itself.

Access List Settings

Navigate to your SharePoint list, click the 'Settings' (gear) icon in the top right corner, and select 'List settings'.

Open Permissions Management

Under the 'Permissions and Management' section, click on 'Permissions for this list'.

Break Permission Inheritance

Click 'Stop Inheriting Permissions' in the top ribbon to separate the list's security settings from the parent SharePoint site.

Assign Read-Only Access

Select the checkboxes next to the users or groups you want to restrict, click 'Edit User Permissions' in the ribbon, check the 'Read' permission level, and click 'OK'.

Security Note: Because views are not secure, users with edit access could easily bypass view-level filters by creating a personal view or accessing the list via API. Always secure data at the list or item level.

Solution 2

Create a Custom Read-Only Interface via Power Apps

Build a separate, customized front-end interface using Power Apps where list data is displayed entirely as read-only for targeted users.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use audience targeting to make a SharePoint view read-only?

No. Audience targeting only hides navigation links, list views, or web parts from specific users. It does not change the underlying permissions or prevent users from editing items if they already have edit access to the list.

Why can't I set permissions directly on a SharePoint list view?

SharePoint's architecture treats views strictly as display filters and sorting mechanisms rather than security boundaries. Permissions can only be applied at the site, list, folder, or individual item levels.

Is it possible to use Power Automate to enforce read-only status on list items?

While Power Automate cannot alter view permissions directly, you can design a workflow that automatically breaks inheritance and changes item-level permissions to 'Read' once an item meets certain criteria, such as after an approval process is completed.

Document & File Issues