Overview
Users assigned the Read-Only role in Billy can both view and download any document they have access to. This applies to documents surfaced at the project level and at the directory level — for example, a reviewed COI or prequal document a compliance admin has already processed.
Read-Only permissions restrict editing and management actions (like approving, rejecting, or deleting records). They do not restrict viewing or saving a local copy of documents.
How It Works
Document viewing in Billy uses your browser's built-in PDF viewer. Any user who can open a document can also download it, because the download control is part of the viewer toolbar itself.
For a Read-Only user, that means:
Viewing: Click into any document the user has access to — it opens in the embedded PDF viewer.
Downloading: Use the download button in the PDF viewer toolbar to save a local copy.
Where Read-Only Users Can Access Documents
Location | What a Read-Only User Can Do |
Project → Documents tab | View and download any document attached to a project they have access to |
Vendor Directory → Documents | View and download documents at the directory level for vendors in their scope |
Reviewed / Approved Documents | Access any document that has already been reviewed and is visible to non-editors |
💡 Tip: If a teammate with a Read-Only role needs to share a copy of a reviewed COI or prequal form externally, they can download it directly from the viewer — no need to have a compliance admin pull and send it. |
If a Read-Only User Can't View a Document
If someone with the Read-Only role reports they can't open a document they should be able to see, check the following:
Confirm the document has been reviewed and is in a state visible to non-editors.
Confirm the user has been granted access to the right project or directory scope.
Have the user refresh the page and try again.
If the issue persists, submit a support ticket with the document name, the location they were trying to view it from (project or directory), and a screenshot of the error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Read-Only user edit, approve, or delete a document?
No. The Read-Only role is limited to viewing and downloading. Editing, approving, rejecting, and deleting documents require a role with write permissions.
Can a Read-Only user download a document that hasn't been reviewed yet?
They can access documents that are visible to them. If your workflow hides documents from non-editors until review is complete, Read-Only users won't see them until that happens.
Does this work at the directory level as well as the project level?
Yes. Read-Only users can view and download accessible documents from both the vendor directory and within individual projects.
Can I prevent a Read-Only user from downloading a document?
No. Because document viewing uses the browser's native PDF viewer, the download control is always available to anyone who can open the document. If a document should not be downloadable by a given user, the correct approach is to restrict that user's access to the document itself.
📌 Need help? Contact the Billy support team via the chat bubble below or visit billyforinsurance.com.