Enable Email Notifications For Shared Google Docs Spreadsheets

Google Docs are a great way to share information. Another important feature to consider when collaborating is notifications for changes. With Google Docs, you can set up alerts when a spreadsheet is modified. Here are some options to enable this helpful feature.

How to Share a Google Docs Spreadsheet

Most Google Docs users first share a document and then use the notification rules to email them about changes. Here is how you can share a document on Google Docs:

1. Look for the “Share” button in the upper right corner of the document. Hover your mouse over it to check the sharing status, which is usually “Private to only me” by default.

2. Click the “Share” button to open the dialog box for sharing with other people.

3. If your document is still untitled, you will be prompted to change the name before sharing.

4. Under “Who has access,” you will see a list of people with whom you have shared the document. By default, you will be the only person listed here as the document is not shared with anyone else.

Click “Change” next to the “Private” section. This “Sharing settings” window is to specify how sharing should take place.

“Public on the web”: The document can be found in search engines and anyone can open and access it based on the “Access” rule.

“Anyone with the link”: Only those people that have the link to the document can reach it. Access is based on the “Access” rule.

“Private”: No one can view or change this document but the owner.

Say we choose the second option for “Anyone with the link” to have access to view the document.

Click “Save” to return to the Sharing settings. From here, you can copy the link for sharing or use the social sharing buttons.

Alternatively, you can send a document via email using the Sharing settings. Enter an email in the “Invite people” section at the bottom and specify the access type. Now, let’s discuss how to enable notifications for changes made by users.

Enable Notifications For a Google Spreadsheet

This feature is only available in Google Docs spreadsheets and not in documents and slides. To access it, go to Tools -> Notification rules.

This will open the “Set notification rules” window. Here we’ll make the necessary changes for email notifications. Select options for events that will trigger a notification. For example, choose “Any changes are made” to receive an email when anything on the spreadsheet is altered. Alternatively, select specific cells or another option from the list. Finally, choose when to receive the email at the bottom. Under “Notify me with,” select a digest email that will be sent once a day with information about changes, or choose “Email – right away” to receive immediate notifications. Note: Email notifications are sent only to the address associated with the Google Docs account. No additional addresses can be added to the notification emails.

Click Save to submit all changes.

Conclusion

Sharing a spreadsheet with a colleague is a great idea for collaboration. Changes made may require you to review them. Enable email notifications for shared spreadsheets easily with Google Docs.