In this blog, we’ll discuss how to modify the SharePoint site access request settings which will give the TestSite Members the ability to request access to a website that they can’t view. As an admin, you can either approve or decline their request afterward.
By customizing the access request settings, you can control if the members can share the site, files, folders, send invitations to other TestSite members, and request access to the site.
Customizing SharePoint Site Access Request Settings
In the advanced permission settings, click the Access Request Settings under the PERMISSIONS ribbon to start modifying it.
After that, the Access Requests Settings dialog box will appear.
In this window, you’ll see different options which you can control by ticking the checkboxes. Take note that the first checkbox in these options is checked by default. This allows them to share the site, files, and folders.
In line with this, the second option must be enabled for them to be able to invite other people to the site members group and share the site as well. If this checkbox is not selected, members of the site won’t be able to share the site.
One of the options here is to allow access requests.
Selecting this option will allow the people who don’t have access to the site to see and click a button that allows them to send a permission request to access the site.
However, if this option isn’t selected, then they won’t be able to click the Request Access button or it won’t be visible at all.
You can also control who’ll receive the access request. You can opt to choose between your site’s admins or just specify an email address and include a custom message that will be visible on the access request page on the site. For instance, refer to the screenshot below.
Click on OK once you’re done customizing the SharePoint site access request settings.
SharePoint Site Access: Removing A User From A Group
Next, for us to be able to see the access request page on the site, we’re going to remove one user from the Managers group. Brad Pitt as an example. To do this, just click Managers from the list of groups.
This will take us to the Managers group. From there, select the checkbox beside Brad Pitt’s name.
After that, click on Actions and select Remove Users from Group.
Just click OK when you see a pop-up window, like the example below.
Checking Permissions
Since we removed Brad Pitt from the Managers group, we’re now going to check this user’s permissions by going back to the advanced permission settings and clicking on Check Permissions.
Then, in the Check Permissions dialog box, we’ll enter Brad Pitt’s name to make sure that he is restricted from accessing the SharePoint site. After that, click Check Now.
Upon checking, we’ll see that the permission levels given to Brad Pitt are now removed.
Next, if we try to access the site as Brad Pitt, this is what we’re going to see.
From here we can send a message to the admin asking for permission to access the site. Then click the Request Access button.
After sending the request, we’ll see a message saying that our request is awaiting approval from the admin.
Granting Permissions
As the site admin, I’ll then receive an email from Brad Pitt, requesting access to the site. And from this email, I can choose which SharePoint group I would like him to be a part of. I can also approve or decline his request from here without going to SharePoint which is convenient on the site admin’s side.
Alternatively, in SharePoint site settings, you’ll see a notification like this.
Then click Show access requests and invitations. This will take us to the Access Requests page where we can see the pending requests. On the list, we’ll see Brad Pitt’s request. We can also check his profile by clicking on his name before approving or declining his request.
On this page, we’re able to see what his request is for. In this case, it’s for TestSite, which will add him to the default group that we’ve specified upon approval.
Going back to SharePoint site settings, click the TestSite Members group.
And here we can see Brad Pitt added as a member of the site. Please note that you can also change the default group in SharePoint depending on your preference.
After that, let’s go back to the Sharepoint site that Brad Pitt is trying to access and refresh it.
Upon refreshing, Brad Pitt now has access to the site as a member.
***** Related Links *****
SharePoint Site Permission Inheritance
Creating A New SharePoint Site
SharePoint Sites: A Brief Overview
Conclusion
To sum it up, we’ve discussed how to modify the SharePoint site access request settings. Additionally, you’ve also learned the alternative ways of approving or declining requests through email or by going to SharePoint’s access request page.
Take note that if you’re planning to approve requests through email, you can then choose to put them as TestSite Members or TestSite Visitors.
On the other hand, approving requests by using SharePoint’s access request page will automatically add them to the default group that you’ve specified.
All the best,
Henry
