How to Show SharePoint Navigation Links to Users with Restricted Access
Question details
Users need to display standard site navigation links to specific folders or document libraries for SharePoint users who have restricted or limited permissions.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A SharePoint site administrator or owner wants to provide a proper navigation experience for colleagues who only have access to specific document libraries or folders.
- Observed behavior
- Users with limited permissions cannot see the site's standard navigation links or document library links because navigation visibility is tied to full page or site permissions.
Ensure you have Site Owner or Edit permissions for the SharePoint site to modify the navigation menu, and verify that the restricted users already have the correct access granted to their specific folders.
Manually Add Folder or Library Links to Site Navigation
Since SharePoint does not automatically display full site navigation to users with limited access, you must manually copy and add direct links to the navigation menu.
Navigation visibility in SharePoint is security-trimmed, meaning users only see links to content they have permission to access. By manually adding direct links to the navigation, you can ensure users find their permitted resources easily without saving individual browser bookmarks.
Navigate to the specific folder or document library. Click on 'More options' (the three dots icon) next to the item and select 'Copy link'.
Go to the SharePoint site's homepage or navigation bar and click 'Edit' at the bottom or top of the navigation menu.
Hover over the navigation menu where you want to add the link and click the '+' icon. Select 'Link', paste the copied URL, enter a display name, and click 'OK'.
Click 'Save' on the navigation editing pane to apply the changes. Restricted users will now see this link in the navigation if they have permission to the target folder.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't restricted users see the standard SharePoint site navigation?
SharePoint navigation is security-trimmed. If a user only has access to a specific folder but lacks access to the overarching site or page, SharePoint hides the standard navigation to prevent unauthorized browsing.
Does granting access to a document library give users access to the whole site?
No. Granting access to an individual folder or library only provides permissions for that specific resource. It does not automatically grant access to the entire site, its pages, or news web parts.
Can I share a site page with restricted users so they can see news and web parts?
Yes. To share news or a web part with restricted users, you must explicitly grant them access to the site page that contains those elements, rather than just sharing a document folder.
