How to share a Google Sheet for editing
Learn how to share a Google Sheet for editing using email invites or shareable links, and control who can edit, comment, or view your data.
Quick answer
Open your spreadsheet, click the Share button in the top-right corner, then enter the email addresses of people you want to invite. Set their permission level to Editor from the dropdown menu, then click Send. Recipients receive an email with a link granting them full editing access to the sheet.
Steps at a glance
- Open the spreadsheet you want to share
- Click the Share button in the top-right corner
- Enter email addresses or a Google group name
- Set permission to Editor from the dropdown
- Click Send to notify collaborators by email
- Or click Copy link and set link access to Editor
- Share the copied link directly with your team
Summary
Google Sheets lets you grant editing access to specific people or anyone with a shareable link, so multiple collaborators can update the same spreadsheet at once. Owners control permission levels for each person, deciding who can edit, comment, or only view the file.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Open the spreadsheet you want to share
Go to your Google Sheets home screen and open the file you own or already have edit access to. Make sure you're signed into the correct Google account, since sharing permissions are tied to your account.
Step 2
Click the Share button
In the top-right corner of the spreadsheet, click the blue Share button. This opens the 'Share with people and groups' dialog box where you'll manage all access settings.
Step 3
Enter email addresses
Type the email address of each person you want to invite, or enter a Google group name. Google Sheets will suggest matching contacts as you type, so you can select them directly from the list.
Step 4
Set the permission level to Editor
Click the dropdown menu next to each person's name and choose Editor instead of Viewer or Commenter. Editor access lets collaborators change cell values, add rows, apply formatting, and even create a chart or filter within the sheet.
Step 5
Add a message and click Send
Optionally, type a short note explaining why you're sharing the file. Click Send to email each person a direct link to the spreadsheet with their assigned editing permissions.
Step 6
Or share a general access link
Instead of naming individuals, click Copy link, then click the 'Restricted' dropdown and select 'Anyone with the link.' Set the permission to Editor so anyone who opens the link can make changes, then paste the link into an email or chat message.
Step 7
Review or update sharing settings anytime
Reopen the Share dialog whenever you need to add new collaborators, change someone's permission level, or remove access entirely. This is also a good time to double-check data using tools like search for words before granting broader edit access.
Why this matters
You've built a budget or project tracker and now need teammates to update numbers directly instead of sending you edits over email. Sharing with editor access lets everyone work in the same file in real time, avoiding version conflicts and outdated copies.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Editor, Commenter, and Viewer access?
Editor access lets someone change cell content, add sheets, and adjust formatting. Commenter access allows notes and suggestions without changing data directly. Viewer access only permits reading the spreadsheet with no ability to modify it.
Can I share only part of a spreadsheet instead of the whole file?
Yes. Select a specific sheet or range, click Data in the menu, then choose Protected sheets and ranges to restrict editing to certain sections while sharing the rest normally.
How do I stop someone from editing a sheet after sharing it?
Open the Share dialog, find their name in the list, click the dropdown next to it, and select Remove access. This immediately revokes their editing permissions.
Can I limit collaborators from downloading or copying the sheet?
Yes. In the Share dialog, click the settings gear icon and uncheck the options that allow editors and commenters to download, print, or copy the file.
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