Photoshop Cloud Document Collaborator Permissions

Collaborating on Adobe Photoshop cloud documents requires understanding the distinct permission levels and sharing methods available across the Creative Cloud ecosystem. This guide outlines the core permission options—specifically editing and viewing rights—how to modify collaborator access after sharing, and how to revoke permissions or manage public link settings to ensure your design files remain secure.

Core Collaborator Roles

When sharing a cloud document (.psdc) directly from Photoshop or Creative Cloud, Adobe provides two primary permission states for collaborators:

  • Can Edit: This grants invited users full editing rights. Collaborators can open the native file directly in Photoshop, make changes, and save new versions back to the cloud document. Because Photoshop cloud documents use asynchronous editing, only one user can actively save changes at a time; if multiple users open the file, their changes are tracked as distinct version branches in the document history.
  • Can View (Comment Only): This level restricts collaborators from altering the underlying design file. Users assigned view access can preview the document in a web browser, zoom in on canvas details, read existing annotations, and submit time-stamped comments or pin-point feedback. They cannot overwrite the master cloud document.

Managing Access via "Invite to Edit"

The Invite to edit feature is intended for direct collaborators who need to work on the actual layers and assets.

  1. Open the document in Photoshop and click the Share icon in the upper-right corner.
  2. Select Invite to edit.
  3. Enter the email address of the collaborator.
  4. By default, direct document invites grant editing capabilities.
  5. To adjust access later, re-open the dialog, locate the user's name in the members list, and switch their status or select Remove to completely revoke their access.

Managing Permissions via "Share for Review"

For clients, project managers, or stakeholders who only require approval or critique capabilities, the Share for review option creates a web-based link without granting source file access.

  • Public (Anyone with the link): Anyone with the generated URL can view the canvas and leave comments.
  • Only invited people: Access is restricted strictly to users authenticated with Adobe IDs who were manually invited via email.
  • Password Protection: You can enforce a required password to view and comment on the review link, adding a layer of security without requiring external reviewers to create Adobe accounts.

Revoking and Modifying Permissions

Permissions can be audited and modified at any time outside of the desktop application using the Creative Cloud desktop app or Creative Cloud on the web:

  1. Navigate to your Files and select Cloud documents.
  2. Hover over the target Photoshop document, click the ellipsis (...) icon, and select Share > Manage links or Invite to edit.
  3. To remove a collaborator, locate their name in the access list and choose Remove collaborator. Their local cache and direct access to the file will be terminated immediately.
  4. To disable a review link, delete the generated link entirely, which breaks access for all external viewers holding that URL.