How to Make Google Sheets Editable by Multiple Users

Of course, you know that only you can view and edit the Google Spreadsheets you create. That said, you can allow other people to view or edit Google Spreadsheets when you share them with them. You can collaborate with others on the same Google Sheet. Collaboration improves the functionality of Google Sheets because multiple people can work simultaneously and in real time. Wondering how to allow other people to edit Google Sheets? This article will help you figure that out.

We’ll explain how to allow other people to edit Google Sheets for limited and multiple people. We’ve covered the steps for the web, Android, iPhone, and iPad. We also mentioned how to prevent others from modifying your Google Spreadsheets.

Let’s start.

How Google Sheets share permissions work

There are three levels of sharing permissions in Google Sheets and other Google Drive services.

• Can see: With this setting, collaborators can only view data from your spreadsheet. They can’t change anything.
• Can comment: This setting allows collaborators to view data and post text comments. However, they cannot make changes to the actual data.
• Can edit: As expected, collaborators can edit data inside the worksheet. They can add, delete, or edit cells, formulas, etc.

Point: You can find the Google Drive files shared with you in the Shared with me section.

How to allow editing of Google spreadsheets

You can share your Google Spreadsheets with limited people or many people. Let’s check both methods.

Method 1: How to allow limited people to edit Google Sheets on PC and mobile

Step by step instructions for PC

Open the spreadsheet you want to share. Click the Share button at the top. You can also go to File> Share.

The sharing window will open. You will notice that Restricted is mentioned in the Get Link section. This means you need to add the people you want to share the spreadsheet with. To do this, enter the email addresses of the people in the “ Add people and groups ” text box one by one. You can even add your group.

When you add email / group, a box will appear on the right side. Select Editor in the box. Click the Submit button. Selected people can now view and edit your spreadsheet.

Point: Can’t edit Google Sheets? Find out 8 ways to fix Google Sheets not being able to edit.

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. You can also tap the three dot icon and go to Share & Export> Share.

Enter the email addresses of the people in the Add people or groups box. A drop-down list will appear. If the editor displays, selected participants can edit your spreadsheet. However, if it shows Viewer or Comment, tap it and choose Editor. Tap the Send button at the bottom to notify others.

Method 2: How to Allow Anyone to Edit Google Spreadsheets on Mobile and PC

Steps for PC

In the above method, only added people could edit the worksheet. Now, if you want anyone on the web to edit your Google Spreadsheets, you can too.

Open the required Google Sheet and click the Share button at the top. In the sharing window that appears, click “Change to anyone with link” in the Get link section.

By default, the permission level is set to Viewer mode in this case. Click on the Viewer box and select Editor. Now copy the link and send it to anyone you want to give access to your spreadsheet. Basically, anyone with that link can now view and edit your spreadsheet. So make sure you only share it with trusted contacts.

Steps for mobile

On mobile, open the required Google Sheet in the mobile app. Tap the Share icon. Tap the text / icons under Who has access.

Press Edit written for “Only added people can open with this link”. Select Editor from the list of options.

You will notice that the text changes to “Anyone on the Internet with this link can edit”. Copy the link and share it with the required people.

What Happens When You Share Google Spreadsheets With Others

Depending on the sharing permission granted, users can edit or view the worksheet. When you share a Google sheet with other people, you can see who else is working on the spreadsheet by checking the circular avatar icons at the top.

Additionally, you will see colored boxes around cells used / edited by other collaborators. If edit permission is granted to other users, you can see others’ changes in real time. You can even chat with people in Google Sheets.

Note: Only 100 users can work on a Google Sheet at a time. If you want more people to collaborate simultaneously, posting the file would be helpful.

How to prevent others from modifying your Google Spreadsheets

Revoke permission to edit Google Sheets on PC

Once you’ve granted permission to edit Google Sheets, you can always revoke it. To do this, click on the Share button in your Google sheet. In the share 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 selected someone with the link, you can edit the worksheet, and then click Edit in the Get Link section.

Click the Editor box next to Anyone With Link and select Viewer or Commenter. Otherwise, if you want to share the file with limited people only instead of anyone on the internet, click the little arrow next to Anyone with link and choose Restricted. Now only people added via email address can access your Google Spreadsheet.

Revoke permission to edit Google Sheets on mobile

On mobile, tap the Share icon, then tap the text / icons listed under Who has access.

To revoke permission to edit email addresses, tap Editor next to their ID and select Viewer or Delete.

To change to anyone on the Internet, tap Edit under “Anyone on the Internet with this link can edit”. Select Viewer if you want people with the link to see only the file. Choose Restricted if you want only added people to view or edit the file.