Permission & Access Issues

How to Give SharePoint Users Move Permission Without Edit Access

Maira Mehtab Oct 10, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to allow SharePoint users to move files between folders or libraries without granting them full edit access to the file contents.

How to Give SharePoint Users Move Permission Without Edit Access

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing user access and granular file organization in a SharePoint document library.
Observed behavior: SharePoint lacks a standalone 'Move To' permission. Because moving files requires deleting from the source and writing to the destination, it typically requires edit-related permissions, complicating strict access control.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control administrator rights in SharePoint, as you will need elevated privileges to modify permission levels and break library inheritance.

Solution 1Recommended

Break Inheritance and Create a Custom Permission Level

Use this solution to decouple the library's permissions from the parent site, allowing you to create and apply a custom permission level specifically tailored for moving files.

SharePoint inherits permissions from the parent site by default. To assign unique access controls, you must first break this inheritance.

Since 'Move' involves copying a file to a new destination and deleting the original, the custom permission level must carefully balance 'Add Items' and 'Delete Items' without full 'Edit Items' rights. Thorough testing is highly recommended.

Navigate to Library Settings

Open your SharePoint document library. Click on the Gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner and select 'Library settings'.

Access Library Permissions

In the Library settings menu, click on 'Permissions for this document library' to view the current access configuration.

Stop Inheriting Permissions

Click on the 'Stop Inheriting Permissions' button in the top ribbon. Confirm the prompt to break the inheritance from the parent site.

Assign Custom Permissions

Once inheritance is broken, select the users or groups you want to modify. Click 'Edit User Permissions' and assign a newly created custom permission level that permits adding and deleting items, while restricting content editing.

Break Inheritance and Create a Custom Permission Level

Permission Settings Visibility: If you cannot see the 'Permissions for this document library' option or 'Stop Inheriting Permissions', your account lacks the necessary administrative rights. You will need to contact your SharePoint administrator for assistance.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Streamline Your Document Workflows with WPS Office

While complex server permissions require SharePoint administrator access, managing and editing your actual documents shouldn't be a hassle. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, allowing you to create, edit, and organize your files with ease.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office files directly; no format conversion is required.
3. Edit and Manage: Use the familiar interface to edit your documents seamlessly and utilize the tabbed view to easily switch between different files.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Lightweight application that ensures fast document loading and smooth performanceBuilt-in PDF editing, merging, and conversion tools without extra costIntuitive tabbed interface for managing multiple documents in a single window

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does moving a file in SharePoint require edit or delete permissions?

In SharePoint, the 'Move' action is technically a two-step process: copying the file to the new destination and deleting the original file from the source. Therefore, a user must have permissions to add items at the destination and delete items at the source.

Why is the 'Permissions for this document library' button missing?

This option is only visible to users with Site Owner or Full Control permission levels. If it is missing, you must contact your organization's SharePoint administrator to perform the changes.

Can I apply custom move permissions to a specific folder rather than the whole library?

Yes. You can manage access at the folder level by selecting the specific folder, clicking 'Manage Access', going to 'Advanced', and choosing to 'Stop Inheriting Permissions' just for that folder.

Document & File Issues