What is a time-driven trigger?
A time-driven trigger (clock trigger) runs an Apps Script function on a schedule you choose, such as every hour or every Monday at 8 a.m. It works even when the spreadsheet is closed, subject to Apps Script quotas.
When to use it
Use time-driven triggers for digest emails, nightly backups, reminder rows, and scheduled API syncs.
When to skip it
Skip clock triggers for sub-minute reactions; use onEdit or external streaming instead.
How it works
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1
Write a function that completes within execution time limits.
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2
Add trigger > Time-driven.
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3
Pick interval or daily timer.
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4
Authorize services used.
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5
Log last run time on a Settings tab.
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6
Monitor Executions for failures.
Examples in Google Sheets
Weekly summary
Every Monday trigger emails open tasks from a Tasks sheet.
Better Sheets resources
Common mistakes
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1-minute trigger for work that only needs daily cadence.
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No logging so silent failures go unnoticed.
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Assuming trigger runs in your timezone without checking Apps Script clock settings.
Frequently asked questions
- Time-driven vs Zapier schedule?
- Time-driven runs inside Apps Script quotas. Zapier bills per task and connects many apps.
- Sheet closed?
- Clock triggers can still run without the UI open.
Related Tutorials
Watch how time-driven trigger works
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Related blog posts
Guides that explain time-driven trigger in more depth.
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Read post →Related terms
installable trigger
An installable trigger is configured in Apps Script > Triggers and binds a function to an event such as on edit, on form submit, or time-driven clock. It can run with authorization the simple trigger cannot, and you can set failure notifications.
Read guide →Apps Script triggers
Triggers tell Apps Script when to run a function: on edit, on open, on a schedule, or when a form is submitted. Simple triggers use reserved names like onEdit. Installable triggers are created in the Apps Script Triggers page and can do more, including running as a specific user or on a timer.
Read guide →Google Sheets automation
Automation means work happens without repeating the same clicks every day: imports update, emails send, rows move, and dashboards refresh. In Sheets, automation usually stacks built-in features, Apps Script, and sometimes the Sheets API or add-ons. Start with the lightest tool that still solves the job.
Read guide →MailApp
MailApp is an Apps Script service that sends email from your Google account without opening Gmail. You call MailApp.sendEmail with a recipient, subject, and body, often using cell values as the content. It is the fastest way to notify someone when a row is added or a deadline hits in a tracker.
Read guide →Done reading about time-driven trigger?
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