> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.gowindmill.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Response sharing

> Choose who can read individual pulse responses: owners only, managers, or all participants.

Response sharing controls who, other than owners, can read individual responses to a pulse. Owners always see every response, and each participant can always see their own.

Response sharing is separate from [anonymity](/features/pulse-surveys/named-and-anonymous-pulses). Anonymity controls whether names appear. Sharing controls who can open the responses.

## Choose a sharing mode

| Mode | Who can read responses | Good for |
| - | - | - |
| **Private to owners** | Owners only. Participants see only their own response. | Company-wide pulses that HR keeps private. |
| **Visible to managers** | Owners, plus each manager for the people in their reporting line. | Company-wide pulses where managers follow up with their teams. |
| **Visible to all participants** | Owners, plus everyone who took part in the same run. | Team pulses such as retros and standups. |

## Change response sharing

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the pulse and select Settings">
    Only pulse owners with edit access can change sharing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit Response sharing">
    Select the edit button on the **Response sharing** section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a mode and select Save">
    The new mode applies right away.
  </Step>
</Steps>

You can change sharing after launch. The change applies to all existing responses, not only future runs. You can't change it after a pulse is completed or archived, or after a one-time pulse is sent.

<Warning>
  Switching from **Private to owners** to a wider mode immediately shows past responses to the new audience. Check that participants expect this before you save.
</Warning>

## What managers see

With **Visible to managers**, each manager can open the pulse and read responses from people in their reporting line. This includes direct and indirect reports, and any reporting lines delegated to the manager. Insights for that manager use the same set of responses.

Managers don't get a separate dashboard. They use the pulse's **Responses** and **Insights** tabs.

If you [email results](/features/pulse-surveys/notifications) to **Managers**, each direct manager of a participant gets a report on their direct reports only. The manager's own answer isn't included.

### Anonymous pulses and managers

On an anonymous pulse with **Visible to managers**:

* Managers see answers from their reporting line labeled **Anonymous**.
* Insights and filters stay hidden until at least 3 people have responded. See [Anonymity and privacy](/features/pulse-surveys/anonymity-and-privacy).
* Manager email reports aren't sent.

Small teams often have fewer than 3 responses. In that case, managers see only the "Not enough responses yet" message.

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How can someone else see the responses?">
    You have three options. [Add them as an owner](/features/pulse-surveys/owners-and-requester), choose a wider sharing mode, or [email them the results](/features/pulse-surveys/notifications).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do Admins and HR Admins see all responses?">
    No. Admin roles don't give access to other people's pulses. An Admin sees responses only as an owner, a manager with manager sharing, or a participant. See [Pulse permissions](/features/pulse-surveys/pulse-permissions).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>