How to protect sensitive data with Excel permissions in BI tools

Excel is a fantastic system for storing data, but it can be difficult to control who has access to that data. When you share a spreadsheet, anyone with the link can view or edit the contents which can be a problem if you’re dealing with sensitive data.

If you need proof, consider the following scenario: you’re working on a budget for your department. The budget includes sensitive information like salaries and overhead costs. You share the spreadsheet with your boss so they can see what you’ve been working on.

The next day, you come to work and find that your boss has shared the file with other managers in the company. You begin to notice as you scan the data that some of the information has been changed.

It may not seem like an issue for other types of data, but when it comes to sensitive information, you need to be able to control who has access to it.

The good news is that you can protect your data by uploading excel files into your BI tool and allowing only specific users to access them. By doing this, you can ensure that only the intended users have access to your sensitive data.

In this article, we will dive into how you can protect sensitive data by uploading excel files into your BI tool and setting appropriate permissions.

In this article we will talk about:

• What is a BI tool?
• How can uploading excel files into a BI tool help protect sensitive data?
• What permissions can be set in a BI tool?
• How to upload an excel file into a BI tool and set permissions
• Tips for protecting sensitive data in excel

Let’s get started by taking a closer look at BI tools and how they can help protect your data.

What is a BI tool?

A BI tool, or business intelligence tool, is a software application that allows users to access, visualize, and analyze data. BI tools are used by businesses to make better decisions by understanding their data.

BI has become an essential element with the rapid growth of data. It is now necessary for businesses to have a BI tool in order to make sense of their data and make better decisions.

When you are in need of a business intelligence tool, you may want to consider uploading your excel files into the software. This is because BI tools offer a number of advantages that can help protect your sensitive data.

There are a variety of BI tools on the market, but not all of them are created equal. When you are choosing a BI tool, you will want to consider the features that are important to you and your business.

How can uploading excel files into a BI tool help protect sensitive data?

One of the most effective ways to protect your data is to upload excel files into a BI tool.

This is because BI tools offer granular permission settings, which means that you can control who has access to your data.

When you upload an excel file into a BI tool, you can set specific permissions for each user. For example, you can allow one user to view the data, but not edit it. Or, you can allow another user to edit the data, but not view it.

This level of control is not possible with Excel, which means that uploading your files into a BI tool is the best way to protect your data.

Why does this matter? Return to the scenario laid out at the beginning of this article. If you had uploaded your budget spreadsheet into a BI tool, you would have been able to set permissions so that only your boss could view the data.

Your boss would not have been able to share the file with other managers in the company, and the sensitive information in the file would have remained private.

In short, uploading excel files into a BI tool is the best way to protect your data because you can control who has access to it.

What permissions can be set in a BI tool?

When you upload an excel file into a BI tool, you can set the following permissions:

View

Allows a user to view the data, but not edit the file.

View allows a user to open and view the contents of a file, but does not allow the user to make any changes. This is the best permission to set if you want to allow a user to view the data, but not edit it.

Edit

Allows a user to edit the data, but not view the file.

Edit allows a user to make changes to the data but does not allow the user to view the file. This is the best permission to set if you want to allow a user to both view and edit the data.

Delete

Allows a user to delete the data.

Delete allows a user to delete the data from the file. This is the best permission to set if you want to allow a user to delete the data. This is one of the most dangerous permissions to set, so use it with caution.

Download

Allows a user to download the data.

Download allows a user to download the data from the file. This is the best permission to set if you want to allow a user to download the data. With sensitive data, you will want to be careful about who has this permission.

Upload

Allows a user to upload the data.

Upload allows a user to upload the data to the file. This is the best permission to set if you want to allow a user to upload the data. With sensitive data, you will want to be careful about who has this permission.

Share

Allows a user to share the data.

Share allows a user to share the data with other users. This is the best permission to set if you want to allow a user to share the data. With sensitive data, you will want to be careful about who has this permission.

Admin

Allows a user to both view and edit the data, as well as set permissions for other users.

Finally, admin allows a user to both view and edit the data, as well as set permissions for other users. This is the best permission to set if you want to allow a user to both view and edit the data, as well as share the data with other users.

As you can see, there are a variety of permissions that can be set in a BI tool. Each permission has a different level of access, so you can choose the permissions that best fit your needs.

When should I upload my excel files into a BI tool?

There are a few situations where uploading your excel files into a BI tool is the best option:

When you want to protect sensitive data

As we discussed earlier, uploading your excel files into a BI tool is the best way to protect your data. By setting the appropriate permissions, you can control who has access to your data.

When you want to control who can view and edit your data

With Excel, you can only allow either everyone to view and edit your data, or no one. With a BI tool, you can set specific permissions so that only the people you want to have access to your data do.

When you want to share your data with other users

If you want to share your data with other users, you can do so by setting the appropriate permissions in a BI tool.

In short, uploading your excel files into a BI tool is the best way to protect your data and control who has access to it. If you want to share your data with other users, you can do so by setting the appropriate permissions.

Tips for setting permissions in a BI tool

When you’re setting permissions in a BI tool, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Make sure you understand the different types of permissions

As we discussed earlier, there are a variety of permissions that can be set in a BI tool. Make sure you understand the different types of permissions and what they allow before you set them.

Set the appropriate permissions for each user

Once you understand the different types of permissions, you can then set the appropriate permissions for each user. Make sure you take into account what type of access each user needs.

Be careful with who you give admin permissions

Admin permissions should be given to only those who absolutely need it. This is because admin permissions allow a user to both view and edit your data, as well as set permissions for other users.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can make sure that you’re setting the appropriate permissions in a BI tool.

Uploading your excel files into a BI tool is the best way to protect your sensitive data. By setting the appropriate permissions, you can control who has access to your data. If you want to share your data with other users, you can do so by setting the appropriate permissions. Follow these tips to make sure you’re setting the appropriate permissions in a BI tool.