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1. Introduction
Sheet Manager (Smart Tab Manager) is a productivity add-on designed to help you organize, navigate, and manage Google Sheets™ workbooks with large numbers of tabs. It solves the "tab overload" problem by providing a vertical sidebar where you can group sheets, perform bulk actions, and manage permissions instantly.
2. Getting Started
Installation & Access
Install the add-on from the Google Workspace Marketplace.
Open any Google Spreadsheet.
Navigate to Extensions > Sheet Manager > Open Sidebar.
The Sheet Manager sidebar will appear on the right side of your screen.
First-Time Use (Trial)
When you first launch Sheet Manager, you automatically start a 15-Day Free Pro Trial. This gives you full access to all features, including Bulk Actions and Unlimited Groups. No credit card is required for the trial.
3. The Interface
The sidebar is divided into three main areas:
Header: Contains the Search bar, Quick Action buttons (Create Group, Refresh), and Filters.
Sheet List: Displays all your sheets, organized by your custom Groups and an "Uncategorized" section.
Floating Action Bar: Appears automatically at the bottom when you select multiple sheets, allowing for bulk operations.
4. Organizing Sheets with Groups
Sheet Manager allows you to create "Virtual Groups" to organize related tabs without changing their physical order in the spreadsheet.
Creating a Group
Hover over the sheets you want to group and check their selection boxes.
Click the "New Group" icon (folder with a plus sign) in the header.
In the Create New Group screen:
Name: Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "Q1 Reports").
Color: Select a theme color for the group sidebar marker.
Confirm: Click Create Group.
Managing Groups
Collapse/Expand: Click the arrow icon next to a group name to hide or show its sheets in the list.
Select All in Group: Click the checkbox next to the Group Name to instantly select all sheets within that group.
Delete Group: Hover over the group header and click the Trash icon.
Note: Deleting a group does not delete the sheets inside it. They are simply moved to the "Uncategorized" section.
5. Single Sheet Actions
You can perform actions on individual sheets quickly without leaving the sidebar.
Hover your mouse over any sheet name in the list to reveal the Quick Action Icon
6. Bulk Actions (Pro Feature)
Bulk actions allow you to modify multiple sheets simultaneously. This feature is available to Pro users and users on the 15-Day Trial.
Select Sheets: Check the boxes next to the sheets you want to modify, or use the Group checkbox to select a whole category.
Use the Floating Bar: A black action bar will appear at the bottom of the sidebar.
Available Actions:
Hide/Unhide: Toggle visibility for all selected sheets at once.
Duplicate: Create copies of all selected sheets.
Delete: Permanently remove all selected sheets.
More Actions (3-dots):
Bulk Rename: Find and replace text in sheet names, or rename using a pattern (Prefix/Suffix/Numbering).
Change Color: Apply a uniform color to all selected tabs.
Protect Sheet: Apply protection settings to multiple sheets at once.
Copy To: Copy multiple sheets to a completely different Spreadsheet file.
7. Advanced Features
Bulk Rename
Rename dozens of sheets in seconds using two modes:
Search & Replace: Find specific text (e.g., "Draft") and replace it (e.g., "Final") across all selected sheets.
Pattern: Construct names using a structure: Prefix + Original Name + Suffix + Sequence Number.
Example: 2024_Sheet1_v1, 2024_Sheet2_v2...
Protect Sheets
Secure your data by restricting who can edit specific sheets.
Select the sheets.
Choose Protect.
Permissions:
Show a warning: Users can edit but will see a warning message.
Restrict who can edit:
Only You: Locks the sheet for everyone except the owner.
Custom: Choose specific users from a list of current editors to grant access.
Copy to External Spreadsheet
Move data easily between files without downloading/uploading.
Select the sheets you wish to move.
Choose Copy To...
Click Select File to open the Google Drive Picker.
Choose the destination spreadsheet.
Click Execute Bulk Copy.
Note: You may be asked to authorize access to the current file the first time you use this feature. This is a security requirement by Google.
8. Licensing & Plans
Pricing
Lifetime License: $79 USD (One-time payment)
How to Upgrade
If your trial expires, the bulk action buttons will show an upgrade prompt. Click the "Upgrade" button (crown icon) in the header or the "Get Lifetime Access" button in the popup to purchase a license key.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is this a monthly subscription?
A: No. The Pro plan is a one-time payment of $79 USD for a lifetime license. You pay once and own it forever.
Q: What happens when my 15-day trial ends?
A: Your account will automatically revert to the Free Plan. You will still be able to use the sidebar for navigation and single-sheet actions, but Bulk Actions and Cross-File Copying will be locked until you upgrade. You will not be charged automatically.
Q: Can I use this on multiple Google accounts?
A: The license is tied to the specific Google email address used at the time of purchase. If you need it for multiple accounts, you will need to purchase separate licenses for each account.
Q: Is my spreadsheet data safe?
A: Yes. Sheet Manager runs entirely within your Google Workspace environment. We do not store your spreadsheet data on external servers. We only store your subscription status and basic user profile (email) for license verification.
Q: Do I need to reinstall the add-on after purchasing?
A: No. Once your payment is processed, the Pro features will unlock automatically. You may need to click the refresh icon in the sidebar header to update your status immediately.
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