Of course, you know that only you can view and edit the Google Sheets you create. However, you can allow others to view or edit Google Sheets when you share them with them. You can collaborate with others on the same Google Spreadsheet. Collaboration extends the functionality of Google Sheets so that multiple people can work simultaneously and in real time. Wondering how to let others edit Google Sheets? This post will help you understand that.
We’ll cover how to allow others to edit Google Sheets for limited and multiple people. We’ve covered the steps for the web, Android, iPhone, and iPad. We’ve also outlined how to prevent others from editing your Google Sheets.
Lets start.
How Google Sheets Share Permissions Work
There are three levels of sharing permissions in Google Sheets and other Google Drive services.
- Can view: With this setting, collaborators can only view the data in your spreadsheet. They cannot edit anything.
- can comment: This setting allows collaborators to view data and post text comments. However, they cannot make any changes to the actual data.
- Can edit: As expected, collaborators can edit data within the spreadsheet. Cells, formulas, etc. they can add, remove or change.
Fly: You can find Google Drive files shared with you in the Shared with me section.
How to Give Permission to Edit Google Spreadsheets
You can share your Google Sheets with a limited or large number of people. Let’s check out both methods.
Method 1: How to Allow Restricted People to Edit Google Spreadsheets on PC and Mobile
Step-by-Step Instructions for PC
Open the spreadsheet you want to share. Click the Share button at the top. Alternatively, go to File > Share.
The sharing window will open. Under the Get link section you will notice that Restricted is mentioned. This means you need to add the people you want to share the spreadsheet with. To do this, type the e-mail addresses of the people one by one in the ‘Add people and groups’ text box. You can even add your group.
When you add an email/group, a box will appear on the right. Select Editor from the box. Click the submit button. Now selected contacts can view and edit your spreadsheet.
Fly: Can’t edit Google Sheets? Check out 8 ways to fix not being able to edit Google Sheets.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Android, iPhone and iPad
Open the required Google Sheets document in the mobile app on your Android phone/tablet or iPhone/iPad. Tap the Share icon at the top. Alternatively, tap the three-dot icon and go to Share & export > Share.
In the Add people or group box, type the people’s email addresses. A popup box will appear. If the editor is shown, selected participants can edit your spreadsheet. However, if Viewer or Commenter is showing, tap on it and select Editor. Tap the Submit button at the bottom to notify others.
Method 2: How to Let Anyone Edit Google Spreadsheets on Mobile and PC
Steps for PC
In the above method, only added contacts were able to edit the spreadsheet. Now if you want anyone on the web to edit your Google Sheets, you can do that too.
Open the required Google Spreadsheet and click the Share button at the top. From the sharing window that appears, click ‘Replace with anyone with the link’ under the Get link section.
By default, the permission level in this case is set to Watcher mode. Click the Viewer box and select Editor. Now copy the link and send it to anyone you want to allow access to your spreadsheet. Basically, anyone with this link can now view and edit your spreadsheet. So make sure you only share it with trusted people.
Steps for mobile
On mobile devices, open the required Google Spreadsheet in the mobile app. Tap the Share icon. Tap the text/icons under Who has access.
Tap Change for ‘Only added contacts can be opened with this link’. Select Editor from the list of options.
You will notice that the text has changed to ‘Anyone on the Internet can edit this link’. Copy the link and share it with the necessary people.
Fly: Find out what “Available offline” means in Google Drive?
What Happens When You Share Google Sheets With Others?
Depending on the sharing permission granted, users can edit or view the spreadsheet. When you share a Google Spreadsheet with others, you can see who else is working on the spreadsheet by checking the circular avatar icons at the top.
You will also see colored boxes around cells used/edited by other collaborators. If other users are allowed to edit, you can see others’ changes in real time. You can even chat with people inside Google Sheets.
Note: Only 100 users can work in a Google Spreadsheet at a time. If you want more people to collaborate at the same time, publishing the file will help.
How to Stop Others from Editing Your Google Sheets
Revoke Google Sheets Editing Permission on PC
Once you have given permission to edit Google Sheets, you can reverse it at any time. For this, click the Share button in your Google Spreadsheet. In the Sharing window, click the Editor box next to people’s email addresses and change it to Viewer or Commenter. If you want to completely revoke access to your spreadsheet, click Remove.
If you’ve selected that anyone with the link can edit the spreadsheet, click Change under the Get link section.
Click the Editor box next to Anyone with the link and select Viewer or Commenter. Alternatively, if you want to share the file with only limited people instead of anyone on the internet, click the little arrow next to Anyone with the link and select Restricted. Now only contacts added via email address can access your Google Spreadsheet.
Revoke Google Sheets Editing Permission on Mobile
On mobile, tap the Share icon and then the text/icons listed under Who has access.
To revoke editing permission for email addresses, tap Editor next to their ID and select Viewer or Remove.
To make changes for anyone on the internet, tap Change under ‘Anyone on the internet can edit using this link’. Select Viewer if you want people with the link to only view the file. Select Restricted if you want only added people to view or edit the file.
Fly: Learn how to restrict editing cells in Google Sheets.
Use Google Spreadsheet Templates
We hope you were able to give others permission to edit your Google Sheets. In the future, you can use various Google Sheets templates to create your spreadsheets. Check out the best Google Sheets templates for teachers, project management, and finance tracking.
Next: Do you like the ability to collaborate with multiple people? Check out other similar great tips and tricks for Google Sheets at the next link.
