How to share specific tabs of a Google Sheet

Google Sheets doesn't let you share data tab by tab. You can, however, set up a master/child sheet system using the IMPORTRANGE function that accomplishes the same goal.

This video shows an example of a tab-based sharing system. Some things to watch out for:

1. You need the entire URL in the IMPORTRANGE function.
2. Make sure you use double-quotes in the URL and range data.
3. Don't forget the comma between the sheet URL and the range.
4. Make sure you click "Allow Access" on the child sheets before sending them to the recipients.
5. Sharing entire rows or columns of data is more flexible than specific ranges. That way, if your sheet structure changes (adding rows/cols) you don't have to go back and change all of your range formulas in the child sheets.

📝 Elkhart Instructional Blog

🔗 Elkhart Ed Tech Link tree

🎤 PodCast

[marniefarrell]

Thank you. Is there any way to copy over the formatting of the cells? On the original sheet I have certain cells highlited and bolded but that doesn't transfer over. ?

[psubbu]

Does the reverse work ? For eg, , the child sheet is updated and does the update reflect on the master ?

[daniel_segovia]

What about if a child sheet change the formula for other tab? it's going to see other content.
Other case, a user can copy and paste the url from the import formula and see the whole sheet
Is there any way that a user can see only a tab?
user1 => see tab1 but not tab2
user2 => see tab2 but not tab1

[manowafufeyin]

Thanks a lot Elkhart. In my situation, the different people I'll be sharing my specific sheets with will be editors and will thus be making changes to their respective sheets. How do I capture that back in the master sheet? Thanks once more.

[GraceMalek]

I followed your instructions and everything worked until the other person edited and everything disappeared on the child sheet. The master sheet was not affected. I am getting an error message that says "#REF! Error result was not expanded, because it would overwrite data in C2". What do you suggest I need to do? Your help is greatly appreciated.

[AmirAkram-sj]

*Is it possible to share only one tab of a google sheet with editing permission and not share the whole sheet?) (while staying in the same sheet)*

[Rawaganat]

Love it, the problem is that you can't edit the new sheet, you can only view it. If you changed anything you will get an error. I was looking for a way to create a sheet linked to the original sheet where you can edit on the copy and have those numbers you add on the new sheet show on the original one

[vaibhavoswal]

So if there is a update done in the child sheet (shared sheet), does it update in the master sheet, automatically?

[madelynpedler]

I cannot see what you typed after the paste of the link. Where do the quotes go? Where do the exclamations go? You quickly gave access to the sheet. How? This is very useful for sharing instructional intervention groups.

[kimberlybetts]

I noticed the formatting doesn't carry over to the sheet you share; is there a way to make this happen?

[mubashariqbal]

Thank you. However if child sheet is updated, how would master sheet data will update ?

[kajeet]

HEY bro, I am getting this error saying "Array result was not expanded because it would overwrite data in A2." whenever I am trying to edit in shared tab., , but its working good in initial tab how to fix it so that we can edit both the tab

[gringotaxis]

How can I filter the data from the master sheet to the child sheets? I'd like to be able to share certain information from the master sheet with individual users.

[meganmcnamara]

This is a great video, thank you for sharing it. I have the import range formula working when I us uncomplicated data but when I try to make it work reading from a large document with a multitude of formulas on it it will not load. Any suggestions?

[arvinarelguevarra]

I need help. I already created an importrange, with all the correct steps, but when I'm about to do editing, it will become an error
What to do?
Thank you

[angelicacamargo]

What happens when the "child" add information? Can you add, change or delete the information as the "child" Thanks

[luuminhvuong]

But when they comment to a row it doesnt save back to my data

[sufjan]

It shows adding permissions (after allowing access) and keeps on loading... Why is that?