Use Input Mode

Note: Input mode is currently available with the ESG solution and SEC advanced solution. Contact your Customer Success Manager to learn more.

Input Mode allows you to restrict editing access when collecting data. When Input Mode is enabled, collaborators can only enter values into the highlighted input cells and can’t make any formatting or structural changes. Input Mode doesn’t change permissions.

Note: To lock all editing for an entire file or section, see Lock editing. You can lock editing for a file or specific sections when Input Mode is enabled.

Create input cells

Before collecting data from collaborators, you need to indicate which cells to use as input cells. These are the only cells where collaborators can enter or change values when Input Mode is enabled. Cells that are destination links or connected to a data source can’t be input cells.

To create input cells:

1. Select the cells you want to mark as input cells.
2. From the Data toolbar, click Input Cells and select Create Input Cell.
   

   You can also right-click the selected cells and select Create Input Cell .
   

The input cells are shown with a blue fill color.

 

Remove input cells

You can remove input cells when you no longer want them to be available for data entry in Input Mode. Removing input cells doesn’t remove the values or formatting. 

To remove input cells:

1. Select the cells to remove.
2. From the Data toolbar, click Input Cells and select Remove Input Cell.
   

   You can also right-click the highlighted cells and select Remove Input Cell .
   

The cells are no longer input cells and can’t be modified when the sheet is in Input Mode.

 

Enable Input Mode

Enable Input Mode to restrict editing access when collaborators are adding data to your sheet. The sheet’s permissions don’t change when you enable Input Mode. 

Note: Only sheet owners can manage Input Mode.

To enable Input Mode:

1. From the Data toolbar, click Input Cells and select Manage Input Mode.
   
2. Select the sheets where you want to enable Input Mode, or you can select All Sheets.
   
3. Click Apply.

Input Mode is enabled for the selected sheets and collaborators can only edit values for the highlighted input cells. An icon displays in the outline next to all sheets in Input Mode.

After collecting data, you can lock all editing or disable Input Mode to edit your sheet. 

 

Disable Input Mode

When you’re not collecting data from collaborators, you can disable Input Mode to continue editing your sheet. 

Note: You don't need to disable Input Mode to lock editing.

To disable Input Mode:

1. From the Data toolbar, click Input Cells and select Manage Input Mode.
   
2. Uncheck the sheets where you want to disable Input Mode.
   
3. Click Apply. 

Input Mode is disabled for the unchecked sheets and contributors can modify the sheet based on their permissions.

 

Clear input cell values

You can clear the values of input cells without removing formatting, data validation, or source links.

 

Enable and disable Input Mode using the outline

You can quickly enable or disable Input Mode for individual sheets or multiple sheets using the outline. 

To manage input mode on a single sheet, right-click on the sheet in the outline and select Enable Input Mode or Disable Input Mode . 

If you want to manage multiple sheets, hold Ctrl (Windows) or ⌘+C (Mac) on your keyboard and click on each sheet before selecting Enable Input Mode or Disable Input Mode in the right-click menu.

Note: To enable or disable Input Mode based on outline label changes, you can create automations.

 

Copy a sheet with input cells and input mode

When you copy a spreadsheet or sheet that has input cells or input mode enabled, you can choose if you want to include input cell values and input mode in enabled sections. 

Input cell values

• If you choose to include input cell values, the values will appear in the copy of the spreadsheet.
• If you don’t choose to include input cell values, the values don’t appear in the copy of the spreadsheet, but the formatting and input cell designation remain.

Input mode in enabled sections

• If you choose to include input mode in enabled sections, sheets with input mode enabled in the original spreadsheet will have input mode enabled in the copy of the spreadsheet. 
• If you don't choose to include input mode in enabled sections, the sheets with input mode enabled in the original file will be reset in the copy. 

By default, input cell values and input mode in enabled sheets aren’t included in the copy. To include these items in the copy, select the desired checkbox when choosing your copy settings.

 

Export a sheet with input cells

When you export a sheet with input cells as .pdf or .xlsx, select Show Input Cells to highlight input cell values in blue in the exported document. Input cells without values are not highlighted.

 

Related articles

Lock editing

Collaboration in Spreadsheets