OneDrive - Prevent Delete Shared Items

Hi,

This is actually a OneDrive question.

I would like to share a folder with multiple excel files with my sister so that she could update it by herself.

Thus, I choose the Allow Edit option when creating a link.

The explanation on the Tutorial (Share OneDrive Files and Folders) about the permission is as such:

Edit - When you check Allow editing, you share items with this type of link, people can edit files, and can add or delete files in a shared folder. Recipients can forward the link, change the list of people sharing the files or folder, and change permissions for recipients. If you're sharing a folder, people with Edit permissions can copy, move, edit, rename, share, and delete anything in the folder.

So, how can I prevent my sister from deleting any of the files within that folder whilst still allowing her to edit the files?


Thank you
Henry

Hi Henry,

I did some research on the share/edit permission of OneDrive. According to How-To-Geek ( How to Share Files and Folders from OneDrive in Windows 10 )

A person who has edit permission will have the option to add/delete a file/folder if they sign in with a Microsoft account. If your sister does not have a Microsoft account or doesn't sign into one, then she will not have the option to add or delete files/folders in your OneDrive. I tested this for myself, and it works.

Guardian Angel

Well, that's a relief, sort of.

Unfortunately, I bought the Office 365 Family Plan, so she has a Microsoft account.

gnulab said:

Well, that's a relief, sort of.

Unfortunately, I bought the Office 365 Family Plan, so she has a Microsoft account.

Hi Henry,

OK, I read up so more information about OneDrive and share permission. Anyone who uses OneDrive for Business will have the option to edit folder/file share permission as noted here -> https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...b-fa0da24c2a65. However, Office 365 Family Plan comes with OneDrive personal doesn't have the option.

I try to look elsewhere to see if there are any other ways for you to change edit permission in OneDrive personal, but I haven't been able to find anything. The only way is what I have provided in my last post. Therefore, if you don't want your sister to have delete permission, I would add a note and let her know that she does not need to sign in to her Microsoft account for her to edit the files.

Guardian Angel

Hi Guardian Angel,

Thanks for helping me search for the answer. Deeply appreciated it!

Time to fork out more money again.


Henry

gnulab said:

Hi Guardian Angel,

Thanks for helping me search for the answer. Deeply appreciated it!

Time to fork out more money again.


Henry

You are very welcome Henry, here is the link to where you can get/buy OneDrive for Business if your interested -> https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/micr...=tab:primaryr2

Guardian Angel

gnulab said:

Hi,

This is actually a OneDrive question.

I would like to share a folder with multiple excel files with my sister so that she could update it by herself.

Thus, I choose the Allow Edit option when creating a link.

The explanation on the Tutorial (Share OneDrive Files and Folders) about the permission is as such:


So, how can I prevent my sister from deleting any of the files within that folder whilst still allowing her to edit the files?


Thank you
Henry

This was driving me mad as well, and I've solved it.

You need to remove the delete option for the sheet through the VBA in Excel then save it as a macro enabled excel spreadsheet before uploading it to Onedrive to share. In Onedrive you can then also set further restrictions in the review tab - manage protection by setting perimissions against certain actions in order to protect the format of the spreadsheet etc. or just set a selected field of cells only that can be edited, as well as password protecting it.

In Excel right click on the name tab at the bottom of the sheet then select view code and then paste into the VBA window:
Private Sub Worksheet_Activate()
ThisWorkbook.Protect "yourpassword"
End Sub

Private Sub Worksheet_Deactivate()
ThisWorkbook.Unprotect "yourpassword"
End Sub

with the "yourpassword" being the actual password on your computer that you need to type in.
select alt + q together at the same time to close the VBA window
click off the sheet onto another tab/sheet in the workbook and then click back onto it
right click the name tab at the bottom of the sheet and you will see that the delete option amongst others is now greyed out.
Save the Excel spreadsheet as a macro-enabled excel spreadsheet and then transfer the workbook file to Onedrive