How to Make a Shared Spreadsheet

Last Updated: March 20, 2023

Creating a shared workbook makes it easy to collaborate on important projects with others. We'll show you how to create and share spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet

1
Open your excel spreadsheet or create a new document by going to the File Menu in the top horizontal toolbar and selecting "New."
2
Make changes to your document. These should include macros, charts, merging cells. pictures, objects, hyperlinks, outlines, subtotals, data tables, Pivot Table reports, worksheet protection and conditional formats.

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3
Click on the Tools Menu or in other version you can find the Review Tab. Select "Shared Spreadsheet/Share Workbook" from the options in the drop down menu.
4
Click the Editing tab when the dialogue box pops up.
5
Find the box that says "Allow changes by more than one user at the same time." Click on that box to affirm you want that change.
6
Click "OK" to save that change.
7
Save the workbook in its current location by clicking the File Menu and selecting "Save."
8
Go back to the File Menu and select "Save As."
9
Save the file in a shared folder on a shared network. Make sure all the people that will use the document have permission to use that folder. If not, save it somewhere that everyone can access.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Google Docs Spreadsheet

1
Sign into your Google Documents account.
- If you do not have a Google Docs account, set it up by clicking the "Try Google Docs Now" button on the Google sign in page.
2
Go to your spreadsheet or click on the "Create New" drop down box.
3
Select "Spreadsheet" from the list of choices, or open a spreadsheet you have already been working on.
4
Click on the "Share" button to the right and above your spreadsheet.
5
Choose the names of people you want to join from your list of Google contacts, or you can type in email addresses.
6
Decide if the person can edit or only view the spreadsheet. Click on the drop down box to the right of the person's name.
7
Press the "Share & Save" button.