# Can't write data to protected column via a form/add screen

**URL:** <https://community.glideapps.com/t/cant-write-data-to-protected-column-via-a-form-add-screen/56474>\
**Category:** Report a Bug\
**Created:** [January 8, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/cant-write-data-to-protected-column-via-a-form-add-screen/56474 "2023-01-08T22:35:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![benmitchell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/benmitchell/32/13820_2.png) [@benmitchell](https://community.glideapps.com/u/benmitchell)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/cant-write-data-to-protected-column-via-a-form-add-screen/56474/1 "2023-01-08T22:35:50Z")

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**Describe the bug:**  
Can’t write to protected column using a form screen in pages

**Expected behavior:**  
Should be able to write to a protected column

**How to replicate:**  
On a form screen - the data column dropdown does not display any protected columns anymore.

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**Author:** ![Robert\_Petitto](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/robert_petitto/32/25193_2.png) [@Robert\_Petitto](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Robert_Petitto)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 12:46am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/cant-write-data-to-protected-column-via-a-form-add-screen/56474/2 "2023-01-09T00:46:18Z")

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This is not a bug—it’s expected behavior. A protected column is simply a column that exists in your Spreadsheet or Airtable but that is completely hidden in Glide. Since this column “doesn’t exist” in Glide, it cannot be written to via a form or add screen.

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**Author:** ![Darren\_Murphy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/darren_murphy/32/47326_2.png) [@Darren\_Murphy](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Darren_Murphy)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 1:38am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/cant-write-data-to-protected-column-via-a-form-add-screen/56474/3 "2023-01-09T01:38:48Z")

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hmm, that’s not what the docs say:

 ![Screen Shot 2023-01-09 at 9.37.12 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/8/e/8e5a0328f9208f199a590c2eb370ec7e23513de9.png)

> **[Glide Docs • Protected Columns](https://www.glideapps.com/docs/reference/security-and-user-data/protected-columns#writing-data-to-protected-columns)**
>
> Keep unused columns in your data source secure.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Robert\_Petitto](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/robert_petitto/32/25193_2.png) [@Robert\_Petitto](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Robert_Petitto)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 2:08am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/cant-write-data-to-protected-column-via-a-form-add-screen/56474/4 "2023-01-09T02:08:36Z")

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Oh.

Well 🦶 → 😩

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![benmitchell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/benmitchell/32/13820_2.png) [@benmitchell](https://community.glideapps.com/u/benmitchell)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 9:08am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/cant-write-data-to-protected-column-via-a-form-add-screen/56474/5 "2023-01-09T09:08:53Z")

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It’s a very useful feature! 😀