Permission & Access Issues

How to Let SharePoint Users Comment Without Editing List Records

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to configure a SharePoint list so that specific users can view all records and leave comments, but cannot modify any other data fields in the list.

How to Let SharePoint Users Comment Without Editing List Records

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing team collaboration in a SharePoint list where feedback is required, but data integrity must be protected from unauthorized edits.
Observed behavior: The user needs a permission configuration workaround because standard list permissions link commenting privileges with general item editing privileges.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or SharePoint Administrator permissions before attempting to modify list access. Without the appropriate administrative rights, the advanced permission settings required for this configuration will be hidden.

Solution 1Recommended

Restrict Create and Edit Access in List Settings

Use the SharePoint list's advanced settings to disable item editing while maintaining the ability to comment on records.

This workaround relies on granting users general edit permissions at the site or list level, but restricting actual item modification through the list's advanced settings menu. This allows the modern commenting feature to function without exposing list fields to unwanted changes.

Grant general edit permissions

Navigate to your SharePoint site permissions and ensure the selected users or groups have the 'Can edit list' permission level.

Access List Settings

Go to your target SharePoint list, click the gear icon in the top right corner, and select 'List settings'.

Open Advanced settings

Under the 'General Settings' column, click on 'Advanced settings'.

Modify item-level permissions

Scroll down to the 'Create and Edit access' section and select the 'None' radio button.

Save changes

Scroll to the very bottom of the Advanced settings page and click 'OK' to apply the new configuration.

Restrict Create and Edit Access in List Settings

Missing Settings?: If the 'Advanced settings' option does not appear on your List settings page, you do not have sufficient privileges. You will need to contact a SharePoint administrator or Site Owner to make these changes.

Solution 2

Create a Separate Linked Comments List

If standard permission tweaks do not meet your security requirements, utilize a secondary list dedicated exclusively to comments.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Boost Your Team's Productivity with WPS Office

While SharePoint handles complex list management and web workflows, WPS Office is an excellent lightweight alternative for all your daily document, spreadsheet, and presentation tasks. It offers a familiar interface, seamless migration, and powerful collaboration tools completely free of charge.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Install the application: Run the setup file and follow the quick installation prompts to set up WPS Office on your device.
3. Open and collaborate: Launch WPS Office to immediately open your Microsoft Office files and start collaborating using built-in review and commenting tools.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Built-in commenting and review tools for efficient team collaboration.Lightweight and cross-platform, running smoothly on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.Free to use with a highly familiar, user-friendly interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see the 'Advanced settings' option in my SharePoint list?

You need Site Owner or SharePoint Administrator permissions to view and modify Advanced settings. If you only have Member or Visitor access, this administrative option is hidden automatically by SharePoint.

Will restricting 'Create and Edit access' prevent users from adding attachments?

Yes. If you set 'Create and Edit access' to 'None', users will lose the ability to add attachments directly to the list item fields, although the modern commenting panel remains functional for text feedback.

Can I enable editing for specific columns only while keeping others read-only?

SharePoint out-of-the-box does not support column-level permissions. To achieve column-specific access control, you would need to customize the list form using Microsoft Power Apps or separate the data into multiple linked lists with different permission configurations.

Document & File Issues