diff --git a/lizmap/definitions/layouts.py b/lizmap/definitions/layouts.py
index cc30e996..3a9131d6 100644
--- a/lizmap/definitions/layouts.py
+++ b/lizmap/definitions/layouts.py
@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@ def __init__(self):
             'type': InputType.Text,
             'header': tr('Allowed groups'),
             'default': '',
+            'separator': ',',
+            'use_json': True,
             'tooltip': tr(
                 'Use a comma separated list of Lizmap groups ids to restrict access '
                 'to this layer edition.')
diff --git a/lizmap/table_manager/base.py b/lizmap/table_manager/base.py
index 165ed2ef..5f60aa16 100755
--- a/lizmap/table_manager/base.py
+++ b/lizmap/table_manager/base.py
@@ -368,6 +368,10 @@ def _edit_row(self, row, data):
                 cell.setData(Qt.ToolTipRole, value)
 
             elif input_type == InputType.Text:
+                separator = self.definitions.layer_config[key].get('separator', ',')
+                if separator and isinstance(value, list):
+                    value = separator.join(value)
+
                 cell.setText(value)
                 cell.setData(Qt.UserRole, value)
                 cell.setData(Qt.ToolTipRole, value)
@@ -571,7 +575,12 @@ def to_json(self, version=None) -> dict:
                 elif input_type == InputType.List:
                     layer_data[key] = cell
                 elif input_type == InputType.Text:
-                    layer_data[key] = cell
+                    json_array = self.definitions.layer_config[key].get('use_json')
+                    separator = self.definitions.layer_config[key].get('separator', ',')
+                    if json_array and separator and cell:
+                        layer_data[key] = cell.split(separator)
+                    else:
+                        layer_data[key] = cell
                 elif input_type == InputType.MultiLine:
                     layer_data[key] = cell
                 elif input_type == InputType.HtmlWysiwyg:
diff --git a/lizmap/test/test_table_manager.py b/lizmap/test/test_table_manager.py
index 63486e1d..37925fcd 100755
--- a/lizmap/test/test_table_manager.py
+++ b/lizmap/test/test_table_manager.py
@@ -239,6 +239,10 @@ def test_layout_definitions(self):
                 {
                     "layout": "A4 Landscape",
                     "enabled": False,
+                    "allowed_groups": [
+                        'admins',
+                        'group_a',
+                    ],
                     "formats_available": (
                         "pdf",
                         "png",
@@ -249,7 +253,20 @@ def test_layout_definitions(self):
                         "300",
                     ),
                     "default_dpi": "300"
-                }
+                },
+                {
+                    "layout": "Cadastre",
+                    "enabled": True,
+                    "allowed_groups": 'im,an,admin',  # input as a string, output as array
+                    "formats_available": (
+                        "pdf",
+                    ),
+                    "default_format": "pdf",
+                    "dpi_available": (
+                        "100",
+                    ),
+                    "default_dpi": "100"
+                },
             ]
         }
         table_manager.load_qgis_layouts(cfg)
@@ -262,6 +279,10 @@ def test_layout_definitions(self):
                 {
                     "layout": "A4 Landscape",
                     "enabled": False,  # Value overriden by the CFG file compare to other layouts.
+                    "allowed_groups": [
+                        'admins',
+                        'group_a',
+                    ],
                     "formats_available": (
                         "pdf",
                         "png"
@@ -276,6 +297,11 @@ def test_layout_definitions(self):
                 {
                     "layout": "Cadastre",
                     "enabled": True,
+                    "allowed_groups": [
+                        "im",
+                        "an",
+                        "admin",
+                    ],
                     "formats_available": (
                         "pdf",
                     ),
@@ -288,6 +314,7 @@ def test_layout_definitions(self):
                 {
                     "layout": "Local planning",
                     "enabled": True,
+                    # "allowed_groups": [],
                     "formats_available": (
                         "pdf",
                     ),
@@ -300,6 +327,7 @@ def test_layout_definitions(self):
                 {
                     "layout": "Economy",
                     "enabled": True,
+                    # "allowed_groups": [],
                     "formats_available": (
                         "pdf",
                     ),