Gabet S. Google Apps Script for Beginners

Packt Publishing, 2014. — 178 p. — ISBN: 978-1-78355-217-7.Код примеров к книге выложен здесь.Google Apps Script is a JavaScript-based programming language that works on the cloud and is 100% free to use. It provides all the tools necessary for Google services to work. Users can easily transfer any data from one service to another, save their important e-mails as files, save and share files with anybody, and even build their own website. It's a great way of allowing people with minimal technical knowledge to create great solutions for their company.This book is a practical hands-on guide which is presented and explained with working examples to help you get started with Google Apps Script. You will create custom functions in your spreadsheets, design your own forms, filter your emails, and publish web applications that you can use every day.You are going to be part of a great journey from basic spreadsheet functionality and customization to fully automated workflows; all of this almost seamlessly and without complications.On your way, you will filter your e-mails, create your forms, calculate all sorts of parameters, and be able to share just about anything that can be shared; all of this with the power of Google Apps Script at your fingertips. You will learn to embed scripts and text documents in Google sites, and will also be taken through standalone applications and user interfaces. The book ends with some tips and tricks to expand your knowledge.What you will learn from this book:
Get acquainted with the tools you have at hand;
Exchange and communicate information between Google services;
Build a private website using your private files;
Construct a web app that really helps you at work;
Solve common issues when using shared documents;
Embed scripts and text documents in Google sites;
Know where to find the information you will need to go further.Who this book is written for:
If you are an application developer with no knowledge of App Script, and would like to learn to build apps using Google Apps script from scratch, then this book is for you. Basic JavaScript knowledge is required.Enhancing Spreadsheets
Spreadsheet functions versus Google Apps Script – how to choose
An example
The spreadsheet-formula approach
The Google Apps Script approach – a few comments
The Google Apps Script approach – the code
Using the development environment – the script editor
The advantages of autocompletion
Reading the documentation
Custom spreadsheet functions
Formatting your spreadsheets automatically
Menus and custom buttons in spreadsheets
Reading and writing data from spreadsheets – best practices
and performances
Example
Catching events
Who is doing what? Script authorizations
Protecting your data
Publishing your data on the Web
Printing and exporting the resultCreate and Manipulate Forms
What tools do we have
Forms' limitations
Handling answers
Forms' alternatives
A quick peek at the UiApp and HTML servicesManaging an E-mail Account
Retrieving Gmail data
Creating labels
Counting, sorting, archiving, and deleting e-mails and threads
Execution time versus time limit
Creating e-mail messages
Automating a complete workflowEmbedding Scripts in Text Documents
What can be done
Generating a Google document from spreadsheet data using a script
Analyzing, duplicating, and modifying document elements
Using a script to insert an image into a document
Compiling and presenting data from other servicesEmbedding Scripts in Google Sites
Site gadget's limitations/restrictions/use cases
Creating and maintaining sites with Google Apps Script
Creating pages
InteractivityStandalone Web Applications / User Interfaces
UI or not UI, that's the question
Common concepts to all web apps
Building an effcient UI
Building a good-looking UI
Building an amazing UI
Limiting user access
Protecting your data (and your script)
Summary 133Table of ContentsUsing User Interfaces in Spreadsheets
and Documents
Pop ups
SidebarsHow to Expand Your Knowledge
JavaScript versus Google Apps Script
Infnite resources
Being a newbie is, by defnition, temporary
Try to fnd your own best learning methodDevelopment perspectives
Google's secrets
Personal point of view