The Problem:
You set up row-level security (RLS) perfectly: blended your main data with a Google Sheet that controls access. The filters look right. The joins are correct. But when users open the dashboard they get stuck on a “Consent Required” loop.
Turns out, if your RLS data source (the Google Sheet) isn’t directly used in any visual, Looker Studio basically ignores its security rules. The blend alone isn’t enough to trigger proper permission checks.
The Fix:
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Add a tiny, hidden visual that uses your RLS Google Sheet
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A 1x1 table or scorecard works great
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Set the opacity to 0% or tuck it in a collapsed section
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That’s it. Seriously.
Why This Works:
Forcing one visual to use the RLS source makes Looker Studio actually enforce those permissions across your entire blend. No complex hacks needed - just this one weird trick.
Pro Tip:
Test with different user accounts in Incognito mode. You’ll finally see what each user should (and shouldn’t) access.