In this tutorial, I will show you how to work with Custom Scripts in Google Sheets. You will learn how to use the Script Editor to program your own functions and create simple scripts that will make your Google Sheets more productive. Let's dive right in and explore the basics of Custom Scripts.
Main Takeaways
- Custom Scripts allow you to create your own functions and automations in Google Sheets.
- You can use the Script Editor to implement JavaScript-based scripts directly in Google Sheets.
- The first function you create can simply be a basic output like "Hello World".
Step-by-Step Guide
Before we begin writing Custom Scripts, we need to ensure that you are familiar with the basics of Google Sheets and the Script Editor.
First, we open Google Sheets and navigate to the Tools tab. Here, you will find the Macros option, where you may have already discovered many possibilities for recording and editing macros. However, since we specifically want to work with Custom Scripts, click on the Script Editor.
The Script Editor opens in a new window and shows you the environment where you can start your own project. This tool is called Apps Script and is the basis for our coding in Google Sheets. Here, you have the opportunity to program your own functions in JavaScript.
I want to point out that you do not necessarily need to be an expert in programming to work with Custom Scripts. It requires a certain level of understanding, but we will start with the basics. Now, let's take a look at our editing environment where we can write a new script.
Let's now create a simple function. We will define a new function and name it "Hello". This is a basic function that we will use later to output "Hello World". To define our function, we use the keyword function, followed by the name of our function, and then open curly braces.
Within these braces, we can write the main content of our function. We use the Browser.msg method to display a simple message box. We want to output "Hello World" here. Make sure to enclose the text in quotation marks and end the line with a semicolon.
After we have written the script, we click on Save. To run the script, we click on the Run option. In the execution log, you should now see the output of your message box displaying "Hello World".
However, before you see the message, you need to check the permissions. You need to sign in with your Google account. Once you've done that, your first output will be displayed!
This guide shows you the basic steps for creating and running Custom Scripts in Google Sheets. It is a simple yet effective way to expand and customize your spreadsheets.
Summary
In this tutorial, you have learned how to use the Script Editor in Google Sheets to create simple Custom Scripts in JavaScript. You have gone through the steps to write a basic function "Hello" and learned how to display an output in a message box. With this knowledge, you are ready to further explore the possibilities of Google Sheets through your own scripts!
