Sharing spreadsheets through email is a common business need, but many users struggle with the best way to share Google Sheets. This guide will show you two simple methods to send Google Sheets via email and compare it with Papermark's secure document sharing features.
When you share a spreadsheet that contains revenue projections, employee salaries or other sensitive data, "view only" is rarely enough. You need to know who is looking, what they can do with the file and when access should end. Papermark turns any spreadsheet into a secure, read-only viewer that gives you that level of control without forcing recipients to create an account.
Key benefits of using Papermark
Viewer-specific watermark: Every sheet is stamped with the recipient's email, IP address and timestamp, discouraging screenshots or leaks.
Link controls: Add a password, set an expiry date or restrict access to an IP allow-list in one click.
Granular permissions: Disable downloads, printing or forwarding while still allowing view access.
Real-time engagement analytics: See who opened your sheet, which tabs they viewed and how long they spent on each.
Branded experience: Share from your own domain and logo for a professional look.
Version locking: Recipients always see the latest version—no more emailing updated files.
Google Sheets vs Papermark for spreadsheet sharing
Feature
Google Sheets
Papermark
Watermarking
❌
Viewer-specific dynamic watermark
Link expiry & passwords
❌
Set expiry, add password, restrict by IP
Page by Page Analytics
❌
Per-tab views, time spent, downloads
Download control
❌
Disable download, print, forward
Branding
❌
Custom domain, logo and theme
Best practices for sharing spreadsheets
Choose the right sharing method:
Use direct email for one-time sharing
Use link sharing for ongoing collaboration
Use Papermark for sensitive financial data
Set appropriate permissions:
Restrict editing access when sharing final versions
Use view-only mode for sensitive data
Consider time-limited access for temporary sharing
Maintain security:
Always verify recipient email addresses
Double-check sharing permissions
Use password protection when available
Consider using Papermark for confidential data
Conclusion
While Google Sheets provides convenient options for sharing spreadsheets via email, businesses handling sensitive data should consider more secure alternatives. Papermark offers enhanced security, tracking, and professional presentation features that make it ideal for sharing financial documents and sensitive spreadsheets.