When using Auto Hide Content, the most common questions are about permission differences, who can still see hidden values, and what happens after the feature is turned off; this FAQ includes 3 common answers and a glossary.
FAQ
What is the difference between Auto Hide Content and range permissions?
- Range permissions are mainly used to limit who can modify data.
- Auto Hide Content is mainly used to limit who can view data.
- If collaborators still need to participate in the workflow but should not see sensitive values directly, Auto Hide Content is the better fit.
Can all collaborators no longer see hidden content?
- No. Auto Hide Content only applies to collaborators who are not authorized.
- The spreadsheet creator and collaborators added to the designated list can still view the original content in the hidden range.
- If you need to adjust visibility, update the designated viewers in the hidden-range settings.
Will data be lost after I turn Auto Hide Content on or off?
- No. The data remains in the original cells.
- When the feature is on, only the display state changes to a hidden view.
- After you turn Auto Hide Content off, the original data is shown normally again.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Collaboration mode | An online state where multiple people can view, edit, or fill in the same spreadsheet together. |
| Protected range | A cell range in a spreadsheet that has its own rules for permissions or hidden-content control. |
| Designated people to manage hidden content | A setting that lets the spreadsheet owner or manager choose which collaborators can view the original data inside a hidden range. |