---
title: "Convert reader to user"
slug: "convert-reader-to-user"
description: "Convert Document360 readers to users seamlessly, retaining analytics and feedback while assigning new roles for effective content management."
updated: 2026-06-16T10:46:08Z
published: 2026-06-16T10:46:08Z
canonical: "docs.document360.com/convert-reader-to-user"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.document360.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Convert reader to user

Converting a reader to a user in Document360 upgrades their account from read-only knowledge base access to a portal contributor role. After conversion, the person can log into the Document360 portal and perform actions according to the portal role and content role you assign. All analytics data and feedback previously submitted by the reader are retained after conversion.

---

## When to convert a reader to a user

- A reader needs to start contributing to, editing, or managing content in the knowledge base portal.
- A team member was initially given reader access and now requires a full portal role.

> [!NOTE]
> **NOTE**  
> If you select an SSO reader, the account will be converted to an SSO user.

---

## Before you begin

- You must have the **Admin** or **Owner** portal role.
- A person cannot hold both a reader and a user role simultaneously — conversion replaces the reader role entirely.

---

## How to convert a reader to a user

1. Navigate to **Settings** (

) > **Users and security** in the left navigation bar of the knowledge base portal.
2. In the left navigation pane, navigate to **Readers & groups** > **Readers**.
3. Select the desired readers and click **Convert to user**.

![Reader list with a reader selected and the Convert to user option highlighted in the action bar.](https://cdn.document360.io/860f9f88-412e-4570-8222-d5bf2f4b7dd1/Images/Documentation/Convert%20to%20user%20option.png)
4. Assign portal access permissions from the **Portal role** dropdown.
5. Assign content access permissions from the **Content role** and **Content access** dropdowns.
6. As an optional step, map the reader to any existing reader groups from the **Map with existing user group** dropdown.
7. Click **Confirm** to convert the reader to user.

![Confirmation dialog for converting a reader to a user with portal role, content role, content access, and user group mapping options.](https://cdn.document360.io/860f9f88-412e-4570-8222-d5bf2f4b7dd1/Images/Documentation/Convert%20to%20user.png)

> [!NOTE]
> **NOTE**  
> When a reader is converted to a user, all contributions made by the reader (e.g., analytics data and feedback) will be retained.

---

## Limitations

| Limit | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Role exclusivity | A person cannot hold both a reader and a user role at the same time. Conversion replaces the reader role. |
| Data retention | All analytics data and feedback from the reader's previous activity are retained after conversion. |
| SSO readers | An SSO reader is converted to an SSO user. |
| Reversibility | Converting a reader to a user cannot be automatically undone. You would need to manually create a new reader account for that person if needed. |

---

## Best practices

- Assign the least-privileged portal role that meets the person's needs. You can always increase permissions later.
- Map the converted user to an existing user group if one with the right permissions already exists — this is faster than configuring permissions individually.
- Convert readers to users in small batches so you can verify role assignments before proceeding to the next group.

---

## FAQ

  

**Can I add a person as a user if they have already been assigned as a reader?**

    
    
      

In Document360, a user cannot hold both a reader and a user role at the same time. To convert a reader into a user, use the [Convert to user](/docs/convert-reader-to-user) option.

    
  
  

  

**Can I convert multiple readers to users at the same time?**

    
    
      

Yes. Select multiple readers using the checkboxes and click **Convert to user**. The same portal role, content role, and content access settings will be applied to all selected readers.

    
  
  

  

**What happens to the reader's content access settings after conversion?**

    
    
      

The reader's previous content access is replaced by the content role and content access you assign during conversion. Review and assign these carefully before confirming.