workspace owner appear (loading)

Osama Gaber

Screenshot 2025-06-17 103713.png

the workspace appears as shown in the attached, and i need to change the owner for the folders and workspace to another one, how can i do it ?

Paul Newcome

Are you the current owner?

Osama Gaber

no

Paul Newcome

users shared as Admin can go intot he sharing menu for the workspace and request ownership by using the dropdown to the right of their name. This will send a transfer request to the current owner who will have to approve it. Otherwise, the current owner would need to initiate it.

Osama Gaber

the owner for workspace removed before transferring the ownership for the workspace so when sent the request the system shown error as i can't transfer the owner for this workspace.

Naeem Ejaz

Ah, yes — this is a common issue in Smartsheet when a workspace owner leaves the organization or is deactivated before transferring ownership. Once the original owner is removed, no one else can directly transfer ownership through the UI, and you'll see an error like:

"Since you can’t transfer ownership manually, you’ll need Smartsheet Admin or Support to step in."

If you're a System Admin on the Smartsheet account:

1. Go to Admin Center → User Management
2. Check the user status of the previous workspace owner
3. Re-activate their account temporarily (if deactivated)
4. Log in as that user (or ask them to), and transfer the workspace
5. Then deactivate the account again

🔐 Only works if you still control the user’s email or SSO account.

OR

"You can simply make a copy of the sheet — you'll become the owner of the new copy."