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The inputs feature in Sheetrocks allows users to define specific cells or ranges in their workbook as input areas. These input fields are designed to control where data can be entered, offering fine-grained permission control and making data entry safer and more streamlined in complex workbooks. Inputs can be combined with other features, such as automations and integrations, to create powerful, flexible workflows.
Inputs are predefined cells or ranges in a Sheetrocks workbook where users are allowed to enter data. The primary purpose of this feature is to:
Once an input range is defined, you can share the sheet or workbook with other users in "inputs only" mode, ensuring that they can only interact with the data fields designated as inputs, while the rest of the workbook remains locked.
1. Input-Only Mode: Share workbooks or individual sheets with users, allowing them to enter data only in the designated input cells. This mode protects the integrity of formulas, formatting, and other sensitive parts of the workbook.
2. Granular Permissions: Inputs can be combined with data constraints to allow different users to access different parts of the workbook. This is particularly useful in team environments where different users are responsible for different data entry tasks.
3. Named Range Compatibility: Inputs can be assigned as named ranges, making them easier to reference in formulas and improving the readability of complex calculations.
4. Future Functionality: The roadmap includes plans for automatically extracting inputs and outputs into a single row for easier integration with other systems, turning the workbook into a calculation engine for external workflows.
1. Define Input Ranges: Select the cell or range that you want to designate as an input area. Right-click the selection and choose the option to define it as an input.
2. Create Named Ranges (Optional): For better readability, you can assign a name to the input range. For example, if users are entering sales data, you can name the range SalesInput.
3. Share with Input-Only Permissions: Share the sheet or workbook with users in "inputs only" mode, which will allow them to enter data but prevent them from modifying formulas or other aspects of the sheet.
One of the most powerful combinations in Sheetrocks is the use of inputs with data constraints. You can apply constraints that limit who can edit specific rows or columns, and this can be dynamically tied to the user's identity.
For example, if each row of data corresponds to a different salesperson, you can set up a data constraint to allow only the salesperson who owns the data to edit their row. This ensures privacy and prevents users from accidentally or intentionally editing data that doesn't belong to them.
1. Define an input range for the data.
2. Apply a data constraint formula, such as =USER_EMAIL() = B2 (where B2 contains the salesperson’s email).
3. Share the sheet in input-only mode, enabling users to only interact with the rows that match their email.
Currently, inputs are primarily used within the Sheetrocks platform, but they are an essential part of future integrations with APIs and automation tools like Make.com. In the near future, you’ll be able to:
Best Practices for Managing Inputs
Use Named Ranges: For better readability and organization, always assign descriptive names to your input ranges. This is particularly useful when working with large datasets or complex formulas.
Combine Inputs with Conditional Formatting: To make input areas more visible to users, use conditional formatting to highlight the cells that are designated for data entry. You can automate this formatting using the IOType formula to apply styles dynamically.
Granular Permissions: Leverage the combination of inputs and user-based data constraints to ensure that different users can only interact with the data they are responsible for.
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