How to Copy from Protected Google Docs or Sheets

Google offers various options for file owners to protect their sensitive information while sharing Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides with others. But what if you need to make a copy of a protected document? In this article, we will explore a method to copy data from protected Google Docs or Sheets, even when you cannot contact the owner. Let’s dive in!

Making a Copy of the Protected Google Document

Imagine this scenario: your friend has emailed you a Google Doc and asked you to make some changes. However, the document is protected and view-only, and you can’t reach your friend as they are out of the office. Don’t panic just yet! Here’s a tip to copy data from the protected document to a new one so that you can edit it as you please.

1. Open the protected document in the Google browser on your computer.
2. If you try to copy the text from the protected document (by pressing CTRL+C), you will see a warning message stating that the options to download, print, and copy have been disabled for this file.
   
3. In the address bar, you will notice that the URL of the document ends with /edit.
4. Change /edit in the address bar to /mobilebasic.
   
5. Press CTRL, Shift, and C keys together on your keyboard to launch the Developer Tools.
   
6. Press CTRL+Shift+P keys. This will open a prompt called Run > Command in the console window. Type “javascript” and click the option Disable JavaScript.
   
7. Now, you will see a new icon with a small Red X on your address bar. If you hover your mouse over it, you will see the message “JavaScript was blocked on this page.”
8. Without closing the console window, press F5 or click the Refresh icon on the page.
9. Press CTRL+A to select all the data and press CTRL+C to copy the data to the clipboard. You will no longer see any warning message as the data has been successfully copied.
   
10. Open a new Google document, press CTRL+V to paste the copied data, and start editing the document as desired.

Although this method may seem a bit technical for regular users, it saves a significant amount of time by eliminating the need to type the entire document again.

Copying or Downloading a Protected Google Sheet

If you are trying to copy data from a protected Google Sheet, you will encounter a similar warning message stating that the options to download, print, and copy have been disabled for the file. But fear not! Here’s a trick to copy data from a protected Google Sheet.

1. Open the protected Google Sheet on your computer.
2. In the address bar, you will notice that the URL of the document ends with /edit followed by some alphanumeric characters.
3. Delete the word ‘edit‘ and all other characters from the URL.
4. Next, type ‘preview‘ after the ‘/’ symbol. This will display a preview of the Google Sheet’s data.
   
5. Press CTRL+A followed by CTRL+C to select and copy all the data.
6. Open a new Google Spreadsheet and click Edit > Paste from the menu.
   
7. Voila! All the protected Google Sheet data has been successfully copied and pasted into the new sheet. You can now freely edit and save the sheet as desired.

Frequently Asked Questions: Copy from Protected Google Docs/Sheets

Q: Can I make a copy of a protected Google Doc without contacting the owner?
A: Yes, you can follow the method mentioned above to make a copy of a protected Google Doc when you cannot contact the owner.

Q: How do I copy data from a protected Google Sheet?
A: By using the steps outlined earlier in this article, you can copy data from a protected Google Sheet with ease.

Remember, if you ever need more assistance with your Google-related queries, make sure to visit Mr Reviews for valuable tips and guides.

Now you have the power to copy data from protected Google Docs or Sheets, even when the options are disabled. Happy copying!