Google Apps Script overview

AI-generated Key Takeaways

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• Google Apps Script is a rapid application development platform for creating business applications that integrate with Google Workspace, using modern JavaScript and built-in libraries for popular Google applications.

• You don't need to install anything as it offers a browser-based code editor, saves scripts to Google Drive, and runs them on Google's servers.

• Apps Script is versatile and can be used to add custom features to Google Docs, Sheets, and Forms, build web apps, interact with other Google services, and create add-ons.

• Quickstarts are available to help you get started with Apps Script projects quickly, such as building automation, custom functions, or a Google Chat bot.

Google Apps Script is a rapid application development platform that makes it fast and easy to create business applications that integrate with Google Workspace. You write code in modern JavaScript and have access to built-in libraries for favorite Google Workspace applications like Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and more. There's nothing to install—we give you a code editor right in your browser, and your scripts are saved to Google Drive and run on Google's servers.

If you're new to JavaScript, Codecademy offers a number of JavaScript courses. (Note that these courses weren't developed by and aren't associated with Google.)

What can Apps Script do?

Apps Script is versatile. Among other things, you can:

• Add custom menus, dialogs, and sidebars to Google Docs, Sheets, and Forms.
• Write custom functions and macros for Google Sheets.
• Publish web apps — either standalone or embedded in Google Sites.
• Interact with other Google services, including AdSense, Analytics, Calendar, Drive, Gmail, and Maps.
• Build lightweight add-ons and publish them to the Google Workspace Marketplace. If you anticipate building large scale add-ons, refer to Build a Google Workspace add-on using HTTP endpoints.

Try a quickstart

Try one of the following quickstarts to get an Apps Script project up and running in less than 5 minutes.

• Automation quickstart: Build and run a simple automation that creates a Google Doc and emails you a link to it.
• Custom function quickstart: Create a custom function that calculates the sale price of discounted items.
• Google Chat bot quickstart: Create a simple Chat bot that can be directly messaged and responds by echoing your messages.