What is an access request?
Table of contents
You can think of access requests as a knock on the door that you can’t open. They are a tool that helps end users get access to a resource they currently can’t access while also maintaining overall security and compliance.
Access requests in SharePoint and Microsoft 365
In SharePoint, when you try to open a site or document you don’t have permission for, you will see an “Access denied” message with an option to request access. If you click that, and access requests are enabled, the site owner or designated approver will receive a notification and will then need to decide if they want to approve or deny your access request.
How access requests work
The access requests process is quite straightforward and the steps generally look something like this:
- User requests access – A user tries to access a restricted resource and submits a request when they realize they can’t view it.
- Notification to approvers – The resource owner or admin receives an email or notification with the access request.
- Approval or denial – The approver decides whether to grant access and selects the appropriate permission level.
- User gets access – If approved, the user gains access based on the assigned permissions. Or, they don’t
Why access requests matter?
Access requests play a key role in security, compliance, and efficient access management in Microsoft 365 and SharePoint. They help:
- Enhance security – Only authorized users can get access.
- Improve compliance – Keeps an audit log trail of who requested access and who approved it.
- Reduce IT burden – Allows site owners to manage access without needing to bother the IT team.
