# Question about impact to user-specific columns when using Private sign-in (w/ pswd) **URL:** \ **Category:** Ask for Help\ **Created:** [November 16, 2020, 7:22pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/question-about-impact-to-user-specific-columns-when-using-private-sign-in-w-pswd/18502 "2020-11-16T19:22:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rasha](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/rasha/32/4585_2.png) [@Rasha](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Rasha)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 7:22pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/question-about-impact-to-user-specific-columns-when-using-private-sign-in-w-pswd/18502/1 "2020-11-16T19:22:55Z")
My app is currently set to Public w/ email. I’d like to convert it to Private - access by password, however: 1. Per Glide this means [not benefiting from user-specific columns](https://docs.glideapps.com/all/reference/security-and-per-user-data/controlling-who-can-access-your-app#private-apps) and I have quite a few. I understand that’s a function of the app not knowing the user’s email but there really isn’t a logical place to force an **arbitrary sign-in screen**. And if I were to set this up, **would this need to occur every time they use the app?** 2. I have not previewed a private with password sign-in flow before and seems I can’t without actually making the switch first. Can anyone share a link to an app with this configuration? Thanks and happy Monday. ---
**Author:** ![david](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/david/32/62831_2.png) [@david](https://community.glideapps.com/u/david)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/question-about-impact-to-user-specific-columns-when-using-private-sign-in-w-pswd/18502/2 "2020-11-16T19:35:05Z")
1. Yes, that’s right. If a user merely signs in with a password, we do not know who they are and cannot load user-specific data. Once a user is signed in with email, they will stay signed in, and they will have access to their user-specific columns. You can trigger sign in with the `Sign in` action. ---
**Author:** ![Rasha](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/rasha/32/4585_2.png) [@Rasha](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Rasha)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/question-about-impact-to-user-specific-columns-when-using-private-sign-in-w-pswd/18502/3 "2020-11-16T20:05:00Z")
Thanks for your input, @david ! The challenge is triggering that sign-in action in a way that makes sense. This is an Admin-type app where it’s difficult to randomly gate a tab or section to force that secondary sign-in. The “admin” rightfully assumes they’re “in” once they sign in via password. _Aside:_ Sounds like the app sign-in screen only has a password field? But agreement checkbox can still be enabled? It also sounds like whatever user-specific info there is in the app at the moment **would be lost during a transition** from public to private, then populated from scratch once the admin signs in via that action. Most of these user-specific columns drive UI components with the exception of a few that control a fairly complex scheduling tab. ---
**Author:** ![david](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/david/32/62831_2.png) [@david](https://community.glideapps.com/u/david)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/question-about-impact-to-user-specific-columns-when-using-private-sign-in-w-pswd/18502/4 "2020-11-16T21:36:21Z")
It sounds like Password login is not right for your app. Why are you using it instead of normal login? ---
**Author:** ![Rasha](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/rasha/32/4585_2.png) [@Rasha](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Rasha)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 10:15pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/question-about-impact-to-user-specific-columns-when-using-private-sign-in-w-pswd/18502/5 "2020-11-16T22:15:42Z")
My understanding is role-based security can only be enabled w/ Private apps. Of the two options – pswd vs. whitelist – the first is better-suited. The inability to scale Row Owners dynamically as mentioned by others is a real pain point and until computed columns (at least split) can be converted into Row Owner, role _might_ be a viable option. Admittedly, I have not yet explored if actions can help auto-add row owners to arrays but on my list. ---
**Author:** ![Jen\_NYCP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@Jen\_NYCP](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Jen_NYCP)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 4:07am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/question-about-impact-to-user-specific-columns-when-using-private-sign-in-w-pswd/18502/6 "2020-11-30T04:07:37Z")
I would like to test out a private sign as well, without disrupting my live app.