How do users typically share records in Salesforce?

In Salesforce, sharing records is primarily conducted through role hierarchies and sharing rules. Role hierarchies allow users to access records owned by users in roles below them in the hierarchy. This means that if a user is granted access through their position in the role hierarchy, they can see the records of those below them, which facilitates efficient collaboration within an organization.

Sharing rules enhance this capability by providing a way to extend access to records based on criteria, such as specific record types or user profiles. This is essential for organizations that need to share sensitive information selectively while maintaining control over who can see what.

The other options mentioned do not align with the conventional ways records are shared in Salesforce. For instance, public groups, while an effective means of sharing, represent a limited category and cannot encompass the full range of functionality offered by role hierarchies and sharing rules. Spreadsheets embedded in Salesforce do not serve as a method for sharing records within the platform; they are typically used for data analysis or presentation purposes. Lastly, sharing records solely with the admin's permission would create bottlenecks and hinder collaboration, which is contrary to the principle of enabling users to access the information they need to do their jobs effectively.