manage_protected_ranges

SERVERMcp Google Sheets SOURCE@a1-x-tech/mcp-google-sheets

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 92 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/a1-x-tech-mcp-google-sheets/manage-protected-ranges.md

WHAT IT DOES

What manage_protected_ranges does on Mcp Google Sheets

AI agents use manage_protected_ranges to create or update resources in Mcp Google Sheets, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Mcp Google Sheets environment.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`range`	object	—	add: the cells to protect.
`action`	string	Yes	What to do with the protections.
`description`	string	—	Label shown in the Sheets UI protections list.
`editor_users`	array	—	Emails of users allowed to edit the protected cells.
`warning_only`	boolean	—	true = anyone can still edit after a warning; false = only the listed editors.
`editor_groups`	array	—	Emails of Google Groups allowed to edit.
`named_range_id`	string	—	add: protect a named range instead of a grid range.
`spreadsheet_id`	string	Yes	The spreadsheet id — the long id from the URL (docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/<spreadsheetId>/edit) or from create_spreadsheet / search_spreadsheets output.
`protected_range_id`	integer	—	update/delete: the protection's id from get_spreadsheet or the add reply.

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

RISK

Why manage_protected_ranges is rated Medium

Modifies spreadsheet access controls and permissions reversibly; does not delete data directly.

From the tool's definition Manages protections that stop other editors from changing cells, add/update/delete

Risk signalsHigh parameter count (14 properties)

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs manage_protected_ranges safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Mcp Google Sheets, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For manage_protected_ranges, this is the rule to start with:

manage_protected_ranges Rate-limited

manage_protected_ranges stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "manage_protected_ranges": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "manage_protected_ranges_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Mcp Google Sheets, apply this rule, and every manage_protected_ranges call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about manage_protected_ranges

What does the manage_protected_ranges tool do? +

Manages protections that stop other editors from changing cells. action=add protects a grid range (or a named range via named_range_id; a range with only sheet_id protects the whole sheet): warning_only=true merely warns before edits, otherwise only the listed editor_users/editor_groups (emails) plus the owner may edit — note the calling user is NOT added automatically. Returns the new protectedRangeId in the replies. action=update changes description/warning_only/editors of an existing protection (protected_range_id required; provided fields replace the old values). action=delete removes the protection — the cells and data stay, but anyone with edit access can change them again. Find existing protectedRangeIds via get_spreadsheet. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Mcp Google Sheets MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

What parameters does manage_protected_ranges accept? +

manage_protected_ranges accepts 9 parameters: range, action, description, editor_users, warning_only, editor_groups, named_range_id, spreadsheet_id, protected_range_id. Required: action, spreadsheet_id. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.

How do I enforce a policy on manage_protected_ranges? +

Register the Mcp Google Sheets MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for manage_protected_ranges: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Mcp Google Sheets. Nothing to install.

What risk level is manage_protected_ranges? +

manage_protected_ranges is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit manage_protected_ranges? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the manage_protected_ranges rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block manage_protected_ranges completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for manage_protected_ranges. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides manage_protected_ranges? +

manage_protected_ranges is provided by the Mcp Google Sheets MCP server (@a1-x-tech/mcp-google-sheets). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

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