How to make google doc view only

Q: Why is my Google Docs view only?

If Youre the Owner of the File If youre the owner of a Google Sheets file where you dont have an Edit” permission, the problem could be manifold. The most obvious reason for this inconvenience is that youve accidentally signed in to the wrong Google Account.

For the longest time, web-based text processors weren’t primary work and education options but Google Docs changed the narrative. Millions of users write, edit, and share important documents online and store them in the cloud. Many of them are wondering if they can make a Google Doc view only so no collaborator (or themselves) can make any changes. We made sure to answer the question below.

Table of Contents Show

How do I protect a Google Doc from editing?
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How to Prevent Document Edits in Google Drive
How do I protect a Google Doc from editing?
How do I change my view only mode?
Why is my Google Docs view only?
Can Google Drive be view only?

How do I protect a Google Doc from editing?

This question gets two answers — one if you’re the one who’s accessing the document and the other if you share the document and it’s accessed by others. You can protect a Google Doc from editing it yourself on your PC as it’s already View Only on smartphone apps.

On Android and iOS, Google Docs are always View Only unless you tap the Edit button (pencil icon). This is different on PC where you need to choose the mode from View > Mode. Just select Viewing and you are good to go.

On the other hand, if you are sharing the document and don’t want your collaborators to change anything, you can do that in the sharing menu. There’s an option to choose between Commenter, Editor, and Viewer. As the description implies, Commenters can only leave comments on the document, Viewers are limited to only viewing it, and Editors have the same permission as you do.

Here’s how to protect a shared Google Doc from editing by others on your Android:

Open the document.
Tap on the Share button at the top right corner and choose with whom you want to share it.
By default, the collaborator role is Editor. Tap on it and change it to Viewer.

The procedure is similar on your PC. Once you click File > Share and choose the collaborator, you get to choose the level of permission they have.

You can always revoke access and change permissions in the Share menu in each document. And, that should do it. Thank you for reading and we hope that this article answered your questions. In case you have something to add to the conversation, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Your documents and files in Google Drive can be modified by anyone who has edit access to the file. Learn how to freeze a document and prevent anyone from editing your files.

The files in your Google Drive are private by default and only the owner has initial permissions to view, edit or delete their files. If you choose to share a file with other people, you can decide whether others have read-only access to your files or if they are allowed to edit and comment on your files.

You can always remove external collaborators from your documents to prevent them from editing your files but how do you prevent yourself (the owner) from accidentally editing your own files in Google Drive?

How to Prevent Document Edits in Google Drive

Google Drive now has a new Locking API to help developers easily add content restrictions on documents, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF and any other file in Google Drive.

When you lock a file, no one (including the owner) can make edits to the file, the file title cannot be changed and also lose the option of commenting inside files.

Google Drive doesn’t have a simple button (yet) for locking files so here’s a little Google Script that can help you make any file in your Google Drive read-only.

1. Open Google Drive and right-click any file that you wish to make a read-only file. Click the Share Link menu and copy the file link to the clipboard.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12345_abcdef-123/edit?usp=sharing

2. Type script.new in the browser to open a new Google Apps Script project and copy-paste this snippet in the code editor.

/**
 *  Make Google Drive files Read only
 *  Author: 
 *  Web: https://digitalinspiration.com/
 *  MIT License
 **/
const makeFileReadyOnly = () => {
  const fileUrl = '<<FILE URL>>';
  const [fileId] = fileUrl.split('/').filter((e) => /[_-\w]{25,}/.test(e));
  UrlFetchApp.fetch(`https://www.googleapis.com/drive/v3/files/${fileId}`, {
    method: 'PATCH',
    contentType: 'application/json',
    headers: {
      Authorization: `Bearer ${ScriptApp.getOAuthToken()}`,
    },
    payload: JSON.stringify({
      contentRestrictions: [
        {
          readOnly: true,
          reason: 'Prevent accidental editing',
        },
      ],
    }),
  });
  // For requesting correct scope, do not delete
  // var file = DriveApp.getFileById().setName()
};

3. Replace the FILE URL in line #2 with the URL of the Drive file that you copied in the previous step.

4. Go to the Run menu, choose Run function > makeFileReadyOnly. Accept the permissions and your file will restricted from editing by anyone including yourself.

If you would like to remove the file lock and allow editing, open Google Drive, right click the same file and choose “Unlock file” from the menu to restore the editing behavior.

Also see: URL Tricks for Google Drive

Please do note that when you freeze a document with the Google Drive Lock API, even Google Scripts and Google Workspace add-ons are blocked from editing the file.

How do I protect a Google Doc from editing?

Protect a sheet or range.

Open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets..

Click Data. Protected sheets and ranges. ... .

Click Add a sheet or range or click an existing protection to edit it..

To protect a range, click Range. ... .

Click Set permissions or Change permissions..

Choose how you want to limit editing: ... .

Click Save or Done..

How do I change my view only mode?

Choose View ▸ View Only or click the corresponding toolbar button to enable this mode.

Why is my Google Docs view only?

If You're the Owner of the File If you're the owner of a Google Sheets file where you don't have an “Edit” permission, the problem could be manifold. The most obvious reason for this inconvenience is that you've accidentally signed in to the wrong Google Account.

Can Google Drive be view only?

You can share the files and folders that you store in Google Drive with anyone. When you share from Google Drive, you can control whether people can edit, comment on, or only view the file.

make google doc view Google Docs

How to make google doc view only

How do I protect a Google Doc from editing?

How to Prevent Document Edits in Google Drive