How to Create a Google Apps Script in Google Sheets

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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.”

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

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.

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

• 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.

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.