Create a Google Apps Script in Google Sheets-3 Easy Steps

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Table of Contents

Objective

Learn how to create a Google Apps Script in Google Sheets.

What is Google Apps Script in Google Sheets?

The Google Apps Script is a rapid scripting platform for application development. You can create business applications that integrate with Google Workspace applications like Gmail, Calendar, Drive, etc.

Get started by learning how to create a Google Apps Script in Google Sheets by writing a basic code for reading and writing cell data.

How to Create a Google Apps Script in Google Sheets?

Launch Script Editor

Select Extensions.
After that, select “Apps Script.”

Figure 1: Select Apps Script

This will open an editor window.
A default function Myfunction () is created.
Write your code inside this function to execute your code.

Figure 2: Default function myFunction() created

Write your code

Inside the myfunction (), write a code to read data from one cell, perform an operation on it, and deliver the output to another cell.
You can identify the cell by mentioning the row and column number.
To identify the cell, use the getRange () function.
Use the getValue() function to retrieve the value of that cell.
Below is an example of extracting value from cell A2.
The value is stored in a variable named value.

function myFunction() {
   var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
   var row = 2;
   var col = 1;
   var value = sheet.getRange(row, col).getValue();
}

Now, the value is multiplied by 5.
Store the new value in a variable named “results.”
The new value is now set in cell B2 by using the setValue function, as shown below:

   var results = data * 5;
   sheet.getRange(row, col+1).setValue(results);

Therefore, the final code will look something like this:

function myFunction() {
   var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
   var row = 2;
   var col = 1;
   var value = sheet.getRange(row, col).getValue();
   var results = value * 5;
   sheet.getRange(row, col+1).setValue(results);
}

Save Code and Run

After completing your code, select the disc icon to save your code.
Now select the “Run” button.

Figure 3: Saving and running code

The first time you run the myFunction() function, you’ll have to provide authorization for the code to run on your Google Account.

Figure 4: Review and grant permissions

Grant the permissions by selecting Review Permissions and selecting your Google Account.
Once the code runs, you can view the calculation results in the target cell B2.

Figure 5: Value after calculation shown in cell B2 using the knowledge of how to create a Google Apps Script in Google Sheets

See Also

Most Commonly Used Google Script Functions for 2022: Learn about widely used advanced script functions.

Delete Empty rows in Google Sheets: Learn how to use Slicers in Google Sheets and its variations.

How to Create a Google Apps Script in Google Sheets