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Overview

Ownership Blocks define who can view or edit specific sections of collaborative documents within a Project Template. They help you:

  • Control visibility and access to sensitive information within shared documents.
  • Assign clear responsibility to individuals or roles for specific content.
  • Reduce errors by limiting who can modify critical sections.

What Are Ownership Blocks?​

Ownership Blocks are designated sections within a Project Template that assign responsibility for a portion of a document or form to a specific user or role. They define who “owns” that section — meaning who is expected to complete, review, or approve the content within it. These blocks are typically used in Collaborative Documents or Forms as part of a structured workflow.

Value of Ownership Blocks​

Ownership Blocks aren’t just about controlling who edits what — they fundamentally improve how teams collaborate and execute complex workflows. Here’s why they matter:

  • Clear Accountability: Instantly identifies who is responsible for each part of a document or form, reducing confusion and unnecessary back-and-forth.
  • Streamlined Workflows: Automates routing, notifications, and access based on who needs to act on a specific section, helping teams move faster.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitates structured teamwork by clearly delineating areas of responsibility across roles or departments.
  • Automated Permissions: Dynamically adjusts user permissions within a project based on their assignment to an Ownership Block, ensuring users can only view or edit what they’re responsible for.

When to Use Ownership Blocks​

You should use Ownership Blocks when:

  • Multiple collaborators contribute to the same document but should only edit their assigned sections.
  • You want to prevent unauthorized changes to specific clauses or content blocks.
  • Different teams or roles own distinct parts of a document (e.g., legal, procurement, finance).

How Ownership Blocks Work​

  • Ownership Blocks are defined inside Collaborative Document Templates.
  • Each block is assigned to an Owner (a role or user) who controls edit access.
  • Only Owners (and Project Owners) can modify their assigned sections during the project.
  • Non-owners can still view the content, unless visibility restrictions are also applied.

Ownership vs. Regular Document Sections​

  • Use Ownership Blocks when access needs to be restricted or auditable.
  • Use regular sections when all users can freely collaborate on the entire document.

See Also​

To complement your knowledge, check the following guides: