Returns the range the user currently has selected.
class SpreadsheetApp method .getActive()
SpreadsheetApp is the Apps Script service.
.getActive() is the method name you will see after a dot in your code.
What it does
Why it's used
- Let someone highlight cells and run a macro on just that selection.
- Build formatters or validators that follow the user's cursor.
Common errors
- Forgetting parentheses on getActive. Write SpreadsheetApp.getActive(), not SpreadsheetApp.getActive or getActive by itself.
- Skipping dots between chained calls. Each step needs a dot, like SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getSheetByName('Data').getActive().
- Adding spaces where they do not belong. Write SpreadsheetApp.getActive(), not SpreadsheetApp .getActive(), SpreadsheetApp.getActive (), or SpreadsheetApp . getActive().
- Wrong capitalization. Use SpreadsheetApp and getActive, not spreadsheetapp or getactive.
Snippets using this method
- Visicalc 2023 Design Walkthrough
- Visicalc 2023 Quick Walkthrough
- SubSpyHub Subreddit Scanner
- Sync Tabs in Different Sections
- Sync Many Tabs without ImportRange()
- Show Sheet Tabs Based on Edit
- Sync Two Tabs Without ImportRange()
- Scrape Google Maps Added Phone and Reviews
- Richard Asks: Copy Template Tab and Rename to Date Every Week
- Introducing SheetFools
- How to Power Testimonials with Google Forms and Sheets
- How to Trigger Macros Daily
- How To Download All Tabs as CSV in a Zip File
- Creating a Live Message in Google Sheets
- Deep Inside Dark Habits Google Script
- Can I get alerted when a tab name is changed?
- Count Merged Rows
- Better Sheets Videos Checklist
- Advanced Coding in Google Sheets for Programmers
- Americano Tournament Template With Four Automations
Explore
Related methods
-
.getActiveSpreadsheet()
Returns the spreadsheet the user currently has open.
-
.activate()
Makes a sheet or range the active selection.
-
.getActiveSheet()
Returns the sheet tab the user is viewing right now.
-
.getRange()
Returns a range of cells by A1 notation or row and column numbers.
-
.getDataRange()
Returns the smallest range that contains all data on the sheet.
More Apps Script
Better Sheets tutorials
Advanced Coding in Google Sheets for Programmers
Americano Tournament Template With Four Automations
Can I get alerted when a tab name is changed?
Count Merged Rows
Creating A Dark Mode Theme | Announcing Dark Habits
Creating a Live Message in Google Sheets
Deep Inside Dark Habits Google Script
How To Download All Tabs as CSV in a Zip File
Introducing SheetFools
Richard Asks: Copy Template Tab and Rename to Date Every Week
Scrape Google Maps
Scrape Google Maps Added Phone and Reviews
Show Sheet Tabs Based on Edit
SubSpyHub Subreddit Scanner
Sync Tabs in Different Sections
Sync Two Tabs Without ImportRange()
Visicalc 2023 Design Walkthrough
Related blog posts
Written guides about SpreadsheetApp.getActive().
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