--- title: Understanding Folder Permissions in the Workspace description: This article explains how folder permissions work in your workspace, including how inheritance and permission hierarchy works. --- [Skip to content](https://help.safelinkhub.com/understanding-folder-permissions-in-the-workspace#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Contact us](https://help.safelinkhub.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![safelink](https://help.safelinkhub.com/hs-fs/hubfs/safelink.png?width=133&height=30&name=safelink.png)](https://safelinkhub.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://help.safelinkhub.com/kb-tickets/new) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Hub](https://help.safelinkhub.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Managing Workspace (General)](https://help.safelinkhub.com/managing-workspace-general?hsLang=en) 3. [Groups & Permissions](https://help.safelinkhub.com/managing-workspace-general?hsLang=en#groups-permissions) # Understanding Folder Permissions in the Workspace ## This article explains how folder permissions work in your workspace, including how inheritance and permission hierarchy works. ### 🔁 Understanding Permission Inheritance Folder Permission follows a top-down inheritance model, meaning permissions are passed down from parent folders to their subfolders and documents. 1. **Parent to Child** – Child folders automatically inherit permissions from their parent folder. 2. **Folder to Documents** – Documents inherit permissions from the folder they are stored in. 3. **Override Capability** – You can override inherited permissions at any level by setting specific permissions on a folder or document. > *Inheritance helps maintain consistency, but you can always customise access by adjusting permissions at a lower level.* --- ### 🔒 Permission Levels There are three levels of folder permission assignment in the workspace: 1. **Default Permissions** 1. - **What it is:** The default folder permissions that apply when no specific user or group permissions are set. - **Who it affects:** All users and groups without explicit permissions. - **Priority:** Lowest priority – can be overridden by both group and individual user permissions. - **When to use:** Use this option to establish default access for all users prior to applying individual or group permissions.   1. **Group Permissions** - **What it is:** Permissions assigned to specific user groups. - **Who it affects:** All members within the selected group. - **Priority:** Overrides default permissions but can be overridden by individual user permissions. - **When to use:** Best for granting access to defined user groups (e.g. *Internal*, *External*). 2. **Individual User Permissions** - **What it is:** Permissions assigned directly to specific users. - **Who it affects:** Only the selected individual. - **Priority:** Highest priority – overrides both default and group permissions. - **When to use:** Use when granting special access or applying restrictions to specific users.   See [How to Set Folder Permissions](https://help.safelinkhub.com/how-to-set-folder-permissions?hsLang=en) for step-by-step instructions. --- ### ⚙️ Folder Permission Hierarchy When determining a user’s overall access, the system evaluates permissions in the following order: 1. **Individual User Permissions** *(highest priority)* 2. **Group Permissions** *(if the user belongs to multiple groups, they are granted a permission if at least one of their groups allows it. This applies when the permission is explicitly granted, not inherited.)* 1. **Example 1: Explicit permission granted** 1. Group A:  **Can Upload** (explicit) 2. Group B: **Cannot Upload** (explicit) 3. User in both groups: **Can Upload**, as one group explicitly grants the permission 2. **Example 2: Inherited permission overridden by an explicit restriction** 1. Group A: Inherited **Can Upload** 2. Group B: **Cannot Upload** (explicit) 3. User in both groups: **Cannot Upload**, because an inherited permission cannot override an explicit restriction. 3. **Inherited Permissions from the Parent Folder** *(if no explicit setting exists)* 4. **Default Permissions** *((lowest priority - only used if no inheritance is available)*   *By understanding how inheritance and permission levels interact, you can efficiently manage access within your workspace while maintaining security and flexibility.*   - [Getting Started](https://help.safelinkhub.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Introduction to Safelink](https://help.safelinkhub.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#introduction-to-safelink) - [Getting Started with Your Account](https://help.safelinkhub.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#getting-started-with-your-account) - [Documents Area Overview](https://help.safelinkhub.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#documents-area-overview) - [Navigation & Interface](https://help.safelinkhub.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#navigation-interface) - 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