Automating Google Sheets with Google Apps Script Beginners

Beginners Automating Google Sheets with Google Apps Script Overview

Looking to automate repetitive tasks and boost your productivity in Google Sheets? This practical and supportive course on Google Apps Script will show you how to harness the power of scripting to build custom formulas, streamline workflows, and connect Google Sheets with other Google Workspace tools.

Whether you're new to coding or transitioning from Excel VBA, you'll learn how to reduce manual work, simplify complex tasks, and take full control of your spreadsheets. Join us and unlock the true potential of Google Sheets automation.

This step-by-step course starts with the basics of Google Apps Script, guiding you through the transition from VBA and helping you understand how Apps Script integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace. Through hands-on exercises, you'll learn how to write scripts that automate data processing, create dynamic ranges, and build custom functions tailored to your needs.

With a focus on real-world scenarios, you'll explore how to use triggers, debug your code, and even build your own interactive Google Sheets add-ons. By the end of the course, you'll have the skills to automate everyday tasks and develop powerful solutions that save you time and increase efficiency.

What You'll Learn in this Training Course

• Understand the basics of Google Apps Script and how it differs from VBA
• Automate repetitive tasks in Google Sheets using scripts and triggers
• Write custom formulas and create dynamic workflows
• Debug and handle errors to keep scripts running smoothly
• Build and integrate Google Sheets add-ons with other Workspace services
• Work on practical projects like automating data imports and creating custom tools

Course Duration: 1 Day

Course Prerequisites

To benefit from this course, you should have:

• Basic knowledge of Google Sheets
• Familiarity with spreadsheet formulas and functions
• Willingness to learn coding concepts (no prior coding experience required)
• Access to a Google Workspace account with Google Sheets
• Basic understanding of JavaScript is helpful but not mandatory

Complete Course Outline

Introduction to Google Sheets Apps Script

• Introduction to VBA and extending it to Google Apps Script
• Enhancing workflows with Google Apps Script
• Key differences between Excel VBA and Google Apps Script
• Common use cases for automating Google Sheets with Apps Script

Transitioning from VBA to Google Apps Script

• Introduction to JavaScript and its role in Apps Script
• What is Google Apps Script?
• Key features of Apps Script for users familiar with VBA
• Accessing and automating Google Sheets via Apps Script
• Handling quotas, limits, and asynchronicity in Apps Script
• Comparison between VBA and Apps Script functionality

Automating Google Sheets with Apps Script

• Running basic scripts to manipulate Google Sheets data
• Using triggers and events to automate repetitive tasks
• Writing data across multiple Google Sheets from a script
• Creating custom menus and extending Google Sheets functionality
• Example: Automating data imports and exports in Google Sheets

Debugging and Error Handling in Google Apps Script

• Using the Apps Script debugger
• Handling errors with try-catch blocks
• Example: Implementing error handling in a Google Sheets script

Dynamic Ranges and Formulas in Google Sheets

• Creating dynamic ranges in Google Sheets using Apps Script
• Writing custom formulas with Apps Script
• Practice exercise: Automating sum calculation for a list of products

Working with Functions in Google Apps Script

• Returning values from functions in Apps Script
• Example: Calculating the last row of data in a Google Sheet
• Passing arguments between functions for dynamic workflows

Practical Use Cases for Automating Google Sheets

• Exercise: Dynamically selecting and summing a column in Google Sheets
• Automating data entry and analysis in Google Sheets with Apps Script
• Creating interactive forms and reports within Google Sheets

Google Apps Script for Add-ons and Extensions

• Integrating Google Sheets with other Google Workspace services
• Creating custom add-ons for Google Sheets
• Example: Publishing and securing Google Sheets Add-ons

Comprehensive Practice Project

• Automating a product lookup and pricing tool in Google Sheets
• Empowering users to automate workflows in Google Sheets

Other Related Courses

Google Sheets Beginners Training

Google Sheets Intermediate Training

Google Apps Script Intermediate Training

Post-Course Resources

• Training notes & exercise files
• Online materials: video tutorials & shortcuts
• 3 months post training support