What To Know
- Navigate to the view you want to lock and click on the “View settings” icon (three dots) in the top-right corner.
- If you want to allow multiple authorized users to edit a locked view simultaneously, you can enable the “Shared editing” option in the “View settings” panel.
- Yes, you can unlock a view by returning to the “View settings” panel and toggling the “Lock view” switch to “Off.
Airtable is a powerful database and project management tool that allows users to create customized views of their data. However, if you’re sharing your Airtable base with others, you may want to restrict access to certain views to prevent unauthorized changes. This is where the “lock view” feature comes in handy. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about how to lock view in Airtable.
Benefits of Locking Views
- Maintain Data Integrity: Locking views ensures that only authorized users can make changes to the data in that view, preserving its integrity and accuracy.
- Control Access: By locking views, you can limit access to sensitive or confidential information to specific individuals or teams.
- Prevent Accidental Changes: Locking views minimizes the risk of accidental modifications, especially when multiple users are working on the same base.
Step-by-Step Guide to Locking Views
1. Open the View Settings
Navigate to the view you want to lock and click on the “View settings” icon (three dots) in the top-right corner.
2. Enable the “Lock View” Option
In the “View settings” panel, scroll down to the “Permissions” section and toggle the “Lock view” switch to “On.”
3. Set Permissions
By default, only the base owner can edit a locked view. However, you can grant editing permissions to specific users or groups by clicking on the “Add collaborators” button and selecting the desired individuals or teams.
4. Save Changes
Click on the “Save” button to apply your changes. The view will now be locked, and only authorized users will be able to make modifications.
Advanced Options for Locking Views
1. Restricting Access by Field
In addition to locking the entire view, you can also restrict access to individual fields within a locked view. To do this:
- Click on the “Fields” tab in the “View settings” panel.
- Select the field you want to restrict.
- In the “Permissions” section, set the access level to “View only” for users who should not be able to edit the field.
2. Enabling Shared Editing
If you want to allow multiple authorized users to edit a locked view simultaneously, you can enable the “Shared editing” option in the “View settings” panel. This allows users to collaborate on changes in real-time.
3. Using View-Specific Permissions
By default, locked views inherit permissions from the base permissions. However, you can override these permissions by setting view-specific permissions. To do this:
- Go to the “Base permissions” tab.
- Select the “View” tab.
- Set the permissions for the locked view as desired.
The Bottom Line: Empowering Control and Collaboration
Locking views in Airtable empowers you to control access to your data, ensuring its integrity and security. By utilizing the advanced options described above, you can tailor permissions to your specific needs, fostering collaboration while safeguarding sensitive information.
What You Need to Learn
Q: Can I lock a view that I don’t own?
A: No, only the base owner or users with administrative permissions can lock views.
Q: What happens if I lock a view that has shared links?
A: Shared links will still work, but users with the link will only be able to view the locked view, not edit it.
Q: Can I unlock a view after it has been locked?
A: Yes, you can unlock a view by returning to the “View settings” panel and toggling the “Lock view” switch to “Off.”
Q: Can I lock a view for external collaborators?
A: Yes, you can grant editing permissions to external collaborators for locked views. However, they must have an Airtable account to access the view.
Q: What are the best practices for locking views?
A: Best practices include locking views containing sensitive data, restricting access to specific users or teams, and enabling shared editing for collaborative projects.
