AnalyzeWorkbook basics

Workbook modes overview

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Sigma features three workbook modes (View, Explore, and Edit) that provide different levels of interactions, customizations, and analysis within a workbook. Each mode is designed to help you perform specific tasks depending on your objectives and permissions.

Workbook mode objectives

 View modeExplore modeEdit mode
PurposeAllows you to view a published version of a workbook (the version labeled “Published” and all tagged versions).Provides an isolated environment in which you can customize published workbook content and perform ad hoc analysis in your own custom view without affecting saved or shared versions of a workbook.Provides a draft environment with full-scope analytic functionality that allows you to edit and save an individual or collaborative analysis.
Use caseRecommended when you need to view prepared data and insights without performing additional analysis.Recommended when you need quick answers to specific business questions, but you don’t want your changes to affect the published version.Recommended when you need to build reports and publish them for future use or sharing.
Required account type permissionView workbooks or Basic exploreFull exploreCreate, edit, and publish workbooks
Required workbook accessCan view, Can explore, Can edit, or OwnerCan explore, Can edit, or OwnerCan edit or Owner

Workbook accessibility comparison

The following table compares what you can do in each mode based on the workbook access that is granted to you or inherited from workspace or folder access.

View mode
(Can view)

View mode
(Can explore / Can edit)

Explore mode
(Can explore / Can edit)		Edit mode
(Can edit)
Update control values
Modify existing filters
Sort column data
View column details
Expand/collapse grouped rows

View aggregated underlying data

Refresh data
Create saved views
View and add comments1
Create new filters
View and drill into unaggregated underlying data
Use drill paths (“Drill anywhere”)
Format, reorder, rename, hide, freeze, and delete columns
Enter input table values2
Download individual elements to PNG
Download individual elements to CSV, Excel, JSON, Google Sheets, or PDF3
Send or schedule exports4
Copy data point values
Create, edit, and delete pages
Create, edit, and delete elements
(editing encompasses properties, format, actions, columns, etc.)
Duplicate and move existing elements
Copy/paste elements
View and change element data
sources
Add and modify columns
View custom SQL logic
Edit layouts and workbook settings
View lineage
View hidden pages
Publish workbook edits

1Requires an account type with the Can comment on workbooks permission enabled.

2Requires the input table element’s data entry permission to be set to the workbook’s published version.

3The ability to download to CSV, Excel, JSON, and PDF requires an account type with the Download or Send Now permission enabled. The ability to download to Google Sheets also requires the Export to Google Sheet permission.

4The ability to send exports (using the Send now feature) requires an account type with the Download or Send Now permission enabled. The ability to schedule exports requires the Schedule export permission.