share_spreadsheet · Google Sheets MCP Server MCP

WHAT IT DOES

What share_spreadsheet does on Google Sheets MCP Server

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why share_spreadsheet needs a policy

Sharing a spreadsheet changes its permission state and grants access to new users, which is a data modification action. While it does not alter the spreadsheet content itself, it reversibly modifies access control, making it a Write operation rather than Execute (no code/commands run) or Destructive (reversible via unshare).

From the tool's definition Tool description states it "Shares a spreadsheet with users" and accepts a role parameter that can be set to "reader, commenter, writer". This modifies access control metadata of a spreadsheet.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

share_spreadsheet Rate-limited

share_spreadsheet 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": {
    "share_spreadsheet": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "share_spreadsheet_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Google Sheets MCP Server, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about share_spreadsheet

What does the share_spreadsheet tool do? +

Shares a spreadsheet with users. Recipients should be JSON array like [{\"email_address\":\"user@example.com\",\"role\":\"writer\"}]. Roles: reader, commenter, writer. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Google Sheets MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on share_spreadsheet? +

Register the Google Sheets MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for share_spreadsheet: 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 Google Sheets MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is share_spreadsheet? +

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

Can I rate-limit share_spreadsheet? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the share_spreadsheet 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 share_spreadsheet completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for share_spreadsheet. 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 share_spreadsheet? +

share_spreadsheet is provided by the Google Sheets MCP Server MCP server (santiagopereda/mcp_googlesheets). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.