What replaces Worksheet_Open in Google Sheets?
Excel can run VBA when a workbook opens. Google Sheets provides an onOpen simple trigger, or an installable onOpen trigger for menus and refresh jobs. There is no exact per-worksheet open event; scope logic to the active sheet inside onOpen if needed.
When to use it
Use onOpen when Excel macros added menus, refreshed queries, or checked settings at open time.
When to skip it
Skip open triggers when manual refresh or a time-driven trigger is safer for shared files.
Better Sheets resources
Related Tutorials
Watch how Worksheet_Open works
Spreadsheet Automation 101 Lesson 1: onOpen() Trigger - Custom Menu
Activate A Certain Sheet When Opening a Spreadsheet
Create New Worksheet When Google Form Submitted
Create an Internal Google Sheets Add-on
Advanced Coding in Google Sheets for Programmers
Add-on menu on open
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Read post →Related terms
onOpen trigger
The onOpen trigger runs an Apps Script function automatically when someone opens the spreadsheet. It is the standard way to add custom menus, show instructions, or refresh lightweight cache without asking the user to run a macro first. Name the function onOpen or bind it as an installable open trigger.
Read guide →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 →custom menu
A custom menu is a menu bar section your Apps Script adds with SpreadsheetApp.getUi().createMenu(), typically from an onOpen trigger. It gives teammates one-click buttons for exports, sorts, or wizards instead of remembering hidden functions.
Read guide →Google Apps Script
Apps Script is Google's JavaScript platform for automating Sheets and other Workspace apps. From a spreadsheet you can open Extensions > Apps Script to write code that reads cells, sends email, builds menus, and runs on triggers. It goes beyond formulas when you need custom workflows tied to your file.
Read guide →Done reading about Worksheet_Open?
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