11

I edited a Google spreadsheet document, while logged with my Google account. After looking into revision history, I could see that the revision is not under my name but under "All anonymous users".

I also tried to open the document in another window. I could see "Anonymous Kangaroo" in the list of active users instead of my own name. When I open the chat while logged in, it also shows anonymous animal name:

screen shot

Why is this happening?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
13

It's probably because you weren't invited individually to the file:

If you share your file with a link, you may not see the names of people who view it.

  • People you didn’t invite individually will show as anonymous when they’re in the file.
  • People you invite individually will show by name when they’re in the file.

You can only see other people’s names when you give them individual permission to view a file or if they are part of a mailing list.

From: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/2494888?hl=en

Improve this answer
2
  • This behavior is actually a good thing to avoid leaking your Google name to the person who gave you the spreadsheet link.
    – Kelvin
    Jan 3, 2018 at 20:17
  • 3
    This behaviour is actually a bad thing as you can't see who is doing what, or who is logged in. (There should be a "show who I am" button...)
    – Matthew Wilcoxson
    May 12, 2020 at 9:04

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.