# Viewer Permissions

This article describes what **Viewers** can do in a Model Reef model.

You will learn:

* What Viewers can see.
* What Viewers cannot change.
* How Viewers participate in review and reporting workflows.

Viewers are designed for stakeholders who need insight, not edit access.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Access scope for Viewers

Viewers can be granted access at:

* **Model level**
  * Can see the entire branch tree and all outputs.
  * Cannot edit anything.
* **Branch level**
  * Can see only the branches they have been given access to and their children.
  * Cannot see branches outside their assigned scope.

This is ideal for external stakeholders, management, board members and clients.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### What Viewers can do

Within their allowed scope, Viewers can:

* View dashboards and charts.
* Browse P\&L, Balance Sheet, Cashflow and Cash Waterfall.
* Open variables and view their settings and history.
* Read notes, comments and attachments.
* Export reports and dashboards where allowed.

Viewers cannot:

* Edit any variables, drivers or timing settings.
* Change branches or model structure.
* Add or edit notes, comments, tags or attachments.
* Change roles, permissions or model settings.
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Viewers in review workflows

In a typical review flow:

* Editors or Owners share the model or specific branches with Viewers.
* Viewers explore outputs using dashboards and drill downs.
* Feedback is generally provided outside the model (for example via email or meetings), while Editors record decisions using notes and comments.

This keeps the numerical integrity of the model safe while still allowing deep inspection.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Upgrading Viewer access

If a Viewer needs to make direct changes:

* An Owner can upgrade them to Editor or Owner role.
* Access can be given at model level or branch level depending on responsibilities.

It is good practice to keep edit access limited and use Viewer access for most stakeholders.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Related articles

* [Agriculture & Primary Production](/use-cases/agriculture-and-primary-production.md)
* [Build an M\&A Consolidation Model](/how-tos/investment-and-transactions/build-an-m-and-a-consolidation-model.md)
* [Notes & Comments](/help/permissions-and-collaboration/notes-and-comments.md)
* [Formula Validation Errors](/syntax/formula-syntax/formula-validation-errors.md)


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.modelreef.io/help/permissions-and-collaboration/viewer-permissions.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.