Google Sheets: You don't have permissions to access that sheet
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#REF! You don't have permissions to access that sheet.What it means
IMPORTRANGE shows this when the account that needs to read the source spreadsheet does not have access to it. Google's help page describes it as the case where you are importing from a sheet you don't own: you must request access and wait for the owner to grant it.
Unlike You need to connect these sheets, there is no Allow access button to click, because you cannot grant a connection to a file you cannot open yourself.
What is not wrong: the formula syntax or range. Fix the sharing and the same formula works.
What it looks like
=IMPORTRANGE("1AbC...xyz", "Summary!A1:D50")
#REF!
You don't have permissions to access that sheet.Why it happens
- The source file is not shared with you, and is not set to anyone with the link.
- You are signed into a different Google account than the one that has access, a common issue with multiple accounts in one browser.
- The source owner removed your access, or moved the file into a shared drive you are not a member of.
- Workspace sharing policy blocks access to files from outside your organization.
How to fix it
- Open the source URL directly in your browser. If you see a request-access page, request access and wait for the owner.
- Check the account avatar at the top right in both files; sign into the account that has access, or use a separate browser profile.
- Ask the owner to share the file with you, or with the account that owns the destination sheet, at least as a viewer.
- In a Workspace domain, ask an admin whether external sharing is restricted for the source file's organization.
- After access is granted, reload the destination sheet and click Allow access if prompted.
How to stop it recurring
Share source files with a group or team account rather than individuals, so staff changes do not break imports. Avoid mixing personal and work accounts in one browser profile when building cross-file reports, and keep a short list of which source files each report depends on.
Official documentation: support.google.com/docs/answer/3093340. See all Google Sheets error messages or the Google Sheets limits and quotas.
Related errors
Definitions
Quick answers
What does "You don't have permissions to access that sheet" mean in Google Sheets?
IMPORTRANGE shows this when the account that needs to read the source spreadsheet does not have access to it. Google's help page describes it as the case where you are importing from a sheet you don't own: you must request access and wait for the owner to grant it.
How do I fix "You don't have permissions to access that sheet"?
1. Open the source URL directly in your browser. If you see a request-access page, request access and wait for the owner. 2. Check the account avatar at the top right in both files; sign into the account that has access, or use a separate browser profile. 3. Ask the owner to share the file with you, or with the account that owns the destination sheet, at least as a viewer. 4. In a Workspace domain, ask an admin whether external sharing is restricted for the source file's organization. 5. After access is granted, reload the destination sheet and click Allow access if prompted.
When an IMPORT formula cannot read the page
IMPORTXML and IMPORTHTML only see the HTML the server sends. An Autonoly extraction step reads the page in a real browser and writes rows to Google Sheets. Sites that block automated visitors can still block it.
Also see Google Sheets integration.