Dive into Google Apps Script so that you can automate your business processes. Learn how to automatically send emails to yourself and others with data from inside your sheets. Available for non-members on Udemy → Spreadsheet Automation 101
Spreadsheet Automation 101: A Beginner's Guide to Google Apps Script
Are you tired of manually updating your spreadsheets and sending emails?
Do you wish you could automate those tasks and save time for more important things?
Then you need to learn about Spreadsheet Automation with Google Apps Script!
Google Apps Script is a scripting language based on JavaScript that allows you to automate tasks in Google Sheets, Docs, and Forms. In this course, we'll be focusing on Spreadsheet Automation, specifically using Google Sheets.
If you're new to Google Apps Script, don't worry. We'll start with the basics and build up from there. By the end of this course, you'll have a better understanding of how to automate your business processes and save valuable time.
Spreadsheet Taxonomy
Before we dive into Google Apps Script, let's review some basic concepts about Google Sheets. Understanding the terminology will make it easier to follow along with the rest of the article. We'll also dive into the basics of Javascript, and programming. The foundations are important here as we build on them quickly.
SpreadsheetApp
SpreadsheetApp is the main object that represents a Google Spreadsheet. You'll use it to access and manipulate the data in your spreadsheet. This is where javascript and Google Apps Scripts diverge slightly. We can access sheets here sort of like we use the "DOM" in Javascript in a browser. I say that lightly because it does act very differently in reality.
For Loop and Arrays
Once you get through the basics of Google Sheets, we will move on to the For Loop an dArrays A loop is a way to repeat a set of actions multiple times. The For Loop is a specific type of loop that allows you to loop over a range of values.
We will break down each part of the For Loop and write it again and again. There are some common errors you might encounter and I'll happily go through those with you to prevent you from getting frustrated later.
onEdit() Trigger
The onEdit() Trigger is a special type of function that runs automatically when a user edits a cell in the spreadsheet. You can use it to trigger other functions or scripts that will perform actions based on the edit.
Event Object
When the onEdit() Trigger runs, it passes an event object to the function. The event object contains information about the edit, such as the range of cells that were edited and the new value of the cell.
Logger
The Logger is a built-in class that allows you to log messages to the console. You can use it to debug your code and see what values are being passed to your functions.
MailApp
Learn about the needed variables for the Mail App to work. In this lesson, I’ll walk you through how you can email yourself or other people the items in a to-do list that hasn’t been done yet.
Email Other People For Loop
Send the same email to different people by using the same Four Loop to figure out which ones we’re sending. Do cool things with this Mail App and email system.
UrlFetchApp
Use any URL to scrape the web or access an API and get that info into your Google Sheet.
Get data via Apps Script and API's
Use getData and UrlFetchApp functions, as well as Logger to get OMDb API data in our Google Sheet. Learn how to access an API outside of Google Sheets.
In addition to learning the basics and foundations, I try to help you develop a better mindset around programming and coding. Because in the best case scenario you'll be constantly learning. There are a few videos that help you become better able to learn later.
Think Like a Programmer: Develop The Mindset of an Apps Script Coder
It's hard to code. It's even harder to learn to code. This is my thought process to help you become resilient enough to learn, and continue to learn to code.
And I'll also go into a few automations you can do in Sheets without Apps Script.
This Seems Like Automation
4 formulas that make your sheets feel automated. Start with user-started actions, and get automated data flowing in other parts of your sheet.
Spreadsheet Automation 101 is available for non-members on Udemy → Spreadsheet Automation 101 and is available here on Better Sheets for both Monthly members and Lifetime Members.
Spreadsheet Automation 101: A Beginner's Guide to Google Apps Script
Are you tired of manually updating your spreadsheets and sending emails?
Do you wish you could automate those tasks and save time for more important things?
Then you need to learn about Spreadsheet Automation with Google Apps Script!
Google Apps Script is a scripting language based on JavaScript that allows you to automate tasks in Google Sheets, Docs, and Forms. In this course, we'll be focusing on Spreadsheet Automation, specifically using Google Sheets.
If you're new to Google Apps Script, don't worry. We'll start with the basics and build up from there. By the end of this course, you'll have a better understanding of how to automate your business processes and save valuable time.
Spreadsheet Taxonomy
Before we dive into Google Apps Script, let's review some basic concepts about Google Sheets. Understanding the terminology will make it easier to follow along with the rest of the article. We'll also dive into the basics of Javascript, and programming. The foundations are important here as we build on them quickly.
SpreadsheetApp
SpreadsheetApp is the main object that represents a Google Spreadsheet. You'll use it to access and manipulate the data in your spreadsheet. This is where javascript and Google Apps Scripts diverge slightly. We can access sheets here sort of like we use the "DOM" in Javascript in a browser. I say that lightly because it does act very differently in reality.
For Loop and Arrays
Once you get through the basics of Google Sheets, we will move on to the For Loop an dArrays A loop is a way to repeat a set of actions multiple times. The For Loop is a specific type of loop that allows you to loop over a range of values.
We will break down each part of the For Loop and write it again and again. There are some common errors you might encounter and I'll happily go through those with you to prevent you from getting frustrated later.
onEdit() Trigger
The onEdit() Trigger is a special type of function that runs automatically when a user edits a cell in the spreadsheet. You can use it to trigger other functions or scripts that will perform actions based on the edit.
Event Object
When the onEdit() Trigger runs, it passes an event object to the function. The event object contains information about the edit, such as the range of cells that were edited and the new value of the cell.
Logger
The Logger is a built-in class that allows you to log messages to the console. You can use it to debug your code and see what values are being passed to your functions.
MailApp
Learn about the needed variables for the Mail App to work. In this lesson, I’ll walk you through how you can email yourself or other people the items in a to-do list that hasn’t been done yet.
Email Other People For Loop
Send the same email to different people by using the same Four Loop to figure out which ones we’re sending. Do cool things with this Mail App and email system.
UrlFetchApp
Use any URL to scrape the web or access an API and get that info into your Google Sheet.
Get data via Apps Script and API's
Use getData and UrlFetchApp functions, as well as Logger to get OMDb API data in our Google Sheet. Learn how to access an API outside of Google Sheets.
In addition to learning the basics and foundations, I try to help you develop a better mindset around programming and coding. Because in the best case scenario you'll be constantly learning. There are a few videos that help you become better able to learn later.
Think Like a Programmer: Develop The Mindset of an Apps Script Coder
It's hard to code. It's even harder to learn to code. This is my thought process to help you become resilient enough to learn, and continue to learn to code.
And I'll also go into a few automations you can do in Sheets without Apps Script.
This Seems Like Automation
4 formulas that make your sheets feel automated. Start with user-started actions, and get automated data flowing in other parts of your sheet.
Spreadsheet Automation 101 is available for non-members on Udemy → Spreadsheet Automation 101 and is available here on Better Sheets for both Monthly members and Lifetime Members.