Configuring SharePoint List Permissions

Sometimes there is a requirement to allow users to enter information into a list but you do not want other users to see that information. In this article we'll guide you on how to configure such permissions.

SharePoint allows lists to be configured with what it refers to as "Item-Level Permissions".  In simple terms, turning on this option in a list automatically configures items as they are added with individual permissions without you having to do anything – each item can then only be seen and modified by the user who added the item and users with permissions to manage the list. 

To configure a list in this way:

  1. Navigate to the relevant list and then, from the Tools menu, select List Settings.

    SharePoint Lists - Settings
  2. Once on the List Settings page, select the Advanced settings option

    SharePoint Lists - Adv Settings
  3. The "Item-Level Permissions" options for the list will, by default, be set to "Read all items" and "Create and edit all items":

    SharePoint Lists - Permissions
  4. Change this to use the "Read items that were created by the user" and "Create items and edit items that were created by the user" then select OK to save the changes. 

Site Collection Administrators will always be able to see all items added to a list regardless of the list permissions and item-level permissions used.  However, you may want other users to be able to manage the items. To do this, you will need to ensure that those users have been granted at least the 'Edit' permission.