google-apps-script

1# Google Apps Script
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3Build automation scripts for Google Sheets and Workspace apps. Scripts run server-side on Google's infrastructure with a generous free tier.
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5## What You Produce
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7- Apps Script code pasted into Extensions > Apps Script
8- Custom menus, dialogs, sidebars
9- Automated triggers (on edit, time-driven, form submit)
10- Email notifications, PDF exports, API integrations
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12## Workflow
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14### Step 1: Understand the Automation
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16Ask what the user wants automated. Common scenarios:
17- Custom menu with actions (report generation, data processing)
18- Auto-triggered behaviour (on edit, on form submit, scheduled)
19- Sidebar app for data entry
20- Email notifications from sheet data
21- PDF export and distribution
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23### Step 2: Generate the Script
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25Follow the structure template below. Every script needs a header comment, configuration constants at top, and `onOpen()` for menu setup.
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27### Step 3: Provide Installation Instructions
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29All scripts install the same way:
301. Open the Google Sheet
312. **Extensions > Apps Script**
323. Delete any existing code in the editor
334. Paste the script
345. Click **Save**
356. Close the Apps Script tab
367. **Reload the spreadsheet** (onOpen runs on page load)
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38### Step 4: First-Time Authorisation
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40Each user gets a Google OAuth consent screen on first run. For unverified scripts (most internal scripts), users must click:
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42**Advanced > Go to [Project Name] (unsafe) > Allow**
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44This is a one-time step per user. Warn users about this in your output.
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