Learn how to grant edit access in Google Sheets to collaborate with colleagues, friends, or family in real-time. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to share your spreadsheet securely.
First, open the Google Sheet you want to share. Look for the green Share button in the top-right corner of the screen and click it.
In the 'Share' dialog box, enter the email addresses of the people or Google Groups you want to share the sheet with in the 'Add people and groups' field.
To the right of the email input field, click the dropdown menu (it usually defaults to 'Viewer'). Select Editor from the list to grant them full editing permissions.
Optionally, type a message in the notification box to give your collaborators context. Ensure the 'Notify people' checkbox is ticked, then click Send to share the sheet.
Pro Tips for Sharing Google Sheets
Instead of adding specific people, you can share a link. Under 'General access', change from 'Restricted' to 'Anyone with the link' and set their role to 'Editor'. Be cautious, as anyone with the link can then edit.
Click the gear icon ⚙️ in the Share dialog to access advanced settings. Here, you can prevent editors from changing permissions or sharing the file with others.
You can manage who has access at any time by clicking the Share button again. Click the dropdown next to a person's name to change their role or remove their access completely.
For users on eligible Google Workspace accounts, you can grant temporary access. After adding a person, click their role and select 'Add expiration' to set a date when their access will be removed.
Explore other Google Sheets guides and shortcuts