Open Google Drive and right-click any file that you wish to make a read-only file. 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.ġ. 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 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.
How to Prevent Document Edits in Google Drive 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? 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.
The files in your Google Drive are private by default and only the owner has initial permissions to view, edit or delete their files. Learn how to freeze a document and prevent anyone from editing your files. You can read more about Google Doc sharing permissions at Google’s official Setting Google Docs File-Sharing Permissions help page.Your documents and files in Google Drive can be modified by anyone who has edit access to the file. If you delete a shared file that you don’t own, the file will be removed from your personal drive but other people with access may still view it. In the Advanced link, click the Remove button and X out the name of the person you no longer want to share with before saving.ĭeleting a file that you own will still allow people to view, comment, edit, or make a copy of the file until it’s permanently deleted, so click the file in your trash and click Delete forever. Off – Specific people: Only people you share the file with will be able to access it.On – Anyone at your domain with the link: If you use a Google account through work or school, anyone signed in to an account at your work or school can access your file if they have the link.On – Your domain: If you use a Google account through work or school, anyone signed in to an account at your work or school can search for and access your file.On – Anyone with the link: Anyone who has the link can access your file, without signing in to their Google Account.On – Public on the web: Anyone can search on Google and get access to your file, without signing in to their Google Account.Some of the choices available include (and they may vary depending on types of Google accounts): If you choose to share via “Get Shareable Link”, you can also control how widely the file is shared.
“View” doesn’t permit changes, “Comment” allows for suggestions but no direct edits, and “Edit” allows for collaborative work and alterations.
Click the down arrow to manage their permissions. If you choose “People” and enter an email address, the file is shared directly with that person. Learn the ins and outs of the sharing and privacy settings of Google Docs to help keep classroom information safe and to teach your students how to be responsible digital citizens.Ĭlick on the file within google drive and select the option to share. That’s where this visual from Sylvia Duckworth comes in handy. How To Set Google Doc Sharing Permissions For Student Privacy While technology access at home, WiFi strength at school, big data, Draconian district filters and more can thwart your attempts to use technology in the classroom, maintaining student privacy while also protecting the integrity of documents (i.e., keep original files from being changed when they shouldn’t be) is at the top of that list of concerns. While cloud-based word processing and file-sharing has been a boon to the modern classroom, with this potential comes new concerns.