Hey everyone! I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way to see who’s been looking at our team’s Google Docs. We’ve got a bunch of files in a shared Drive folder, and I’m curious if Google keeps track of when people open them.
I know we can see edit history and comments, but what about just viewing? Like, can I tell if Bob from accounting peeked at our budget spreadsheet last Tuesday?
This would be super helpful for our project docs, but I’m wondering if it works for Sheets and Slides too. Anyone know if this is possible or if I’m just dreaming? Thanks!
I’ve encountered this issue in my previous role managing sensitive documents. Unfortunately, Google doesn’t provide a straightforward solution for tracking view-only access to Docs, Sheets, or Slides. While edit history is readily available, simply opening a file doesn’t leave a trace by default.
There are some partial solutions, though. If you have G Suite Enterprise, you can access more detailed audit logs through the Admin console. This provides insights into file access, but it’s quite technical to set up and interpret.
Another option is using third-party apps that integrate with Google Drive to offer more granular tracking. However, these often come with additional costs and potential security considerations.
Ultimately, if tracking views is crucial, you might need to consider alternative document management systems that offer more robust access logging capabilities.
hey lucasg, i’ve dealt with this before. google doesn’t really give us a simple way to see who’s just lookin at docs without editing. but you could try setting up email alerts for file activity in google drive. it’s not perfect but might give you an idea. just remember tho, too much tracking can make ppl feel weird about using shared stuff.
As someone who’s managed shared Google Drive folders for multiple teams, I can tell you that tracking view access for Docs, Sheets, and Slides is possible, but it’s not as straightforward as you might hope. Google doesn’t provide a built-in feature to see who’s simply opened a file without making changes.
However, there’s a workaround I’ve used successfully. You can enable Google Drive’s activity notifications for specific files or folders. This will send you email alerts when files are viewed or downloaded. It’s not perfect - it won’t tell you exactly who viewed what, but it can give you a general idea of file activity.
Another option is to use Google Workspace’s Admin console if you have admin access. It offers more detailed logs, including view events, but it’s more complex to set up and interpret.
Remember, while tracking can be useful, it’s important to balance it with trust in your team. Excessive monitoring might make people uncomfortable or less likely to engage with shared resources.