Read the outcomes together
| Outcome | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Succeeded + verified | The operation completed and the expected destination access or link was found by verification. |
| Already present | The expected access already exists; a duplicate grant is not needed. |
| Not verified / verification failed | The expected result was not confirmed. Inspect the message, even if the request itself was accepted. |
| Failed / policy blocked | An operation did not complete as required. Read its exact error and stage. |
| Skipped | No individual restore operation was applied for that entry. Review its reason rather than counting it as a failure. |
Why the numbers are different
A file with three recipients can produce three permission rows. A batch also has counts for sites, items, direct changes, and link changes. Compare like-for-like counts and use the detail table to understand what each total measures.
Credit settlement uses unique destination files/folders with a successful verified change. A failed, skipped, or already-present operation does not consume an additional credit simply because it appeared in the plan.
Confirm the real user experience
- Check the exact destination path and identity in the result.
- Test representative recipients in their own destination sessions.
- Confirm the access level and any unique child permissions, not just whether one file opens.
- For a newly invited guest, distinguish the recorded permission from invitation redemption and sign-in-policy checks.
- Save exports or an audit package and record exceptions that still need action.
If an operation was accepted but access is unverified
Microsoft can accept a request while a policy, approval requirement, or propagation delay prevents the expected permission from appearing. Read the verification detail and check the destination policy and account before retrying.
A verified permission is useful technical evidence, but it does not establish that every conditional access, browser, or business requirement has been tested. Include recipient acceptance checks in your pilot.