Tag Archives: Google Apps Script

Extend Google Apps Script with your API library to empower users

Posted by Keith Einstein, Product Manager

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Google is proud to announce the availability of the DocuSign API library for Google Apps Script. This newly created library gives all Apps Script users access to the more than 400 endpoints DocuSign has to offer so they can build digital signatures into their custom solutions and workflows within Google Workspace.

The Google Workspace Ecosystem

Last week at Google Cloud Next ‘21, in the session “How Miro, DocuSign, Adobe and Atlassian are helping organizations centralize their work”, we showcased a few partner integrations called add-ons, found on Google Workspace Marketplace. The Google Workspace Marketplace helps developers connect with the more than 3 billion people who use Google Workspace—with a stunning 4.8 billion apps installed to date. That incredible demand is fueling innovation in the ecosystem, and we now have more than 5,300 public apps available in the Google Workspace Marketplace, plus thousands more private apps that customers have built for themselves. As a developer, one of the benefits of an add-on is that it allows you to surface your application in a user-friendly manner that helps people reclaim their time, work more efficiently, and adds another touchpoint for them to engage with your product. While building an add-on enables users to frictionlessly engage with your product from within Google Workspace, to truly unlock limitless potential innovative companies like DocuSign are beginning to empower users to build the unique solutions they need by providing them with a Google Apps Script Library.

Apps Script enables Google Workspace customization

Many users are currently unlocking the power of Google Apps Script by creating the solutions and automations they need to help them reclaim precious time. Publishing a Google Apps Script Library is another great opportunity to bring a product into Google Workspace and gain access to those creators. It gives your users more choices in how they integrate your product into Google Workspace, which in turn empowers them with the flexibility to solve more business challenges with your product’s unique value.

Apps Script libraries can make the development and maintenance of a script more convenient by enabling users to take advantage of pre-built functionality and focus on the aspects that unlock unique value. This allows innovative companies to make available a variety of functionality that Apps Script users can use to create custom solutions and workflows with the features not found in an off-the-shelf app integration like a Google Workspace Add-on or Google Chat application.

The DocuSign API Library for Apps Script

One of the partners we showcased at Google Cloud Next ‘21 was DocuSign. The DocuSign eSignature for Google Workspace add-on has been installed almost two-million times. The add-on allows you to collect signatures or sign agreements from inside Gmail, Google Drive or Google Docs. While collecting signatures and signing agreements are some of the most common areas in which a user would use DocuSign eSignature inside Google Workspace, there are many more features to DocuSign’s eSignature product. In fact, their eSignature API has over 400 endpoints. Being able to go beyond those top features normally found in an add-on and into the rest of the functionality of DocuSign eSignature is where an Apps Script Library can be leveraged.

And that’s exactly what we’re partnering to do. Recently, DocuSign’s Lead API Product Manager, Jeremy Glassenberg (a Google Developer Expert for Google Workspace) joined us on the Totally Unscripted podcast to talk about DocuSign’s path to creating an Apps Script Library. At the DocuSign Developer Conference, on October 27th, Jeremy will be teaming up with Christian Schalk from our Google Cloud Developer Relations team to launch the DocuSign Apps Script Library and showcase how it can be used.

With the DocuSign Apps Script Library, users around the world who lean on Apps Script to build their workplace automations can create customized DocuSign eSignature processes. Leveraging the Apps Script Library in addition to the DocuSign add-on empowers companies who use both DocuSign and Google Workspace to have a more seamless workflow, increasing efficiency and productivity. The add-on allows customers to integrate the solution instantly into their Google apps, and solve for the most common use cases. The Apps Script Library allows users to go deep and solve for the specialized use cases where a single team (or knowledge worker) may need to tap into a less commonly used feature to create a unique solution.

See us at the DocuSign Developer Conference

The DocuSign Apps Script Library is now available in beta and if you’d like to know more about it drop a message to [email protected]. And be sure to register for the session on "Building a DocuSign Apps Script Library with Google Cloud", Oct 27th @ 10:00 AM. For updates and news like this about the Google Workspace platform, please subscribe to our developer newsletter.

Use the new Apps Script Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Script Editor

What’s changing 

We’ve redesigned the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Google Apps Script. The new IDE offers a more modern and simplified development experience which makes it quicker and easier to build solutions that make Google Workspace apps more useful for your organization. 

You can learn more about these improvements in this video from our Next OnAir session earlier this year. 


Who’s impacted 

Developers 


Why it’s important 

Apps Script is a rapid application development platform that makes it fast and easy to create custom business solutions that integrate with Google Workspace and that increase the power of apps including Calendar, Docs, Drive, Gmail, Sheets, and Slides. With this launch, we’ve revamped the cloud-based IDE that helps you create, edit, and manage projects. The new IDE simplifies the experience of developing for Google Workspace and offers: 
  • A state of the art code editor, which uses Monaco and that offers advanced autocomplete, auto-formatting, and more. 
  • An enhanced troubleshooting experience by improving the debugger and adding real-time streaming logs. 
  • Integration between the IDE and the Google Workspace Developer hub to provide a seamless, end-to-end experience to design, develop, deploy and manage Apps Script projects in one place. 
  • Updated look and feel, with a user-friendly interface which is more similar to other Google Workspace apps that use the Material Design framework. 

Getting started 

  • Admins and developers: This feature will be ON by default for all users. However, users can opt out to use the legacy IDE by clicking on “Use legacy editor” in the toolbar next to the Execution log button. Use our developer documentation to learn more about working with Apps Script. 
New Apps Script IDE 

Improved code editing experience 


Rollout pace 

Availability 

  • Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus, as well as G Suite Basic, Business, Education, Enterprise for Education, and Nonprofits customers 

Resources 

Roadmap 

Automate and expand Connected Sheets updates with new APIs, connections, and capabilities

What’s changing 

We recently launched Connected Sheets, which connects Google Sheets and BigQuery to help you analyze large datasets using familiar spreadsheet tools. We’re now adding support for macros and APIs to help you automate tasks, as well as providing mobile access. Specifically, you can now use Connected Sheets with: 

Who’s impacted 

Developers and end users 


Why you’d use it 


Sheets Macro recorder 
You can use the macro recorder to record when to create, edit, delete, and refresh Connected Sheets objects. This generates macros which you can then directly run in Sheets to refresh the data. This can automate common tasks, saving time and reducing errors. 

Apps Script and Sheets API 
You can use these APIs to write scripts and applications that automate tasks. For example, you can automate CRUD functions for Connected Sheets objects, including sheets, formulas, pivot tables, and extracts. Additionally, you can use the APIs to refresh these objects, as well as to refresh charts. 

Mobile app support 
You can now view Connected Sheets on mobile devices. You can also copy and paste data from Connected Sheets using the mobile apps. At this stage, you can’t create, edit, or refresh data in Connected Sheets on mobile. 


Getting started 

Rollout pace 

  • Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: 
    • Sheets Macro recorder: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 26, 2020. 
    • Apps Script: Available now for all users. 
    • Sheets API: Available in September. 
    • Android app: Gradual rollout (up top 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 17, 2020. To get access, update to the latest version of the Sheets Android app. 
    • iOS app: Gradual rollout (up top 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 24, 2020. To get access, update to the latest version of the Sheets iOS app. 

Availability 

  • Connected Sheets is available to G Suite Enterprise, G Suite Enterprise for Education, and G Suite Enterprise Essentials customers 
  • Connected Sheets is not available to G Suite Basic, G Suite Business, G Suite for Education, G Suite for Nonprofits, and G Suite Essentials customers 

Resources 

More admin control over Apps Script projects with Google Cloud Console management

What’s changing 

We’re changing how Apps Script manages Google Cloud Platform (GCP) projects. This will help IT Admins govern these projects and simplify how developers manage projects as well. New Apps Script GCP projects will now live in a new folder (“apps-script”) in the GCP resource hierarchy. This means that new Apps Script projects will be governed by organization policies defined for GCP projects by IT admins.

Who’s impacted 

Admins, Apps Script developers, and end-users of Apps Script projects

Why you’d use it 

  • Gives IT admins additional controls: This feature helps make Apps Script projects more secure by providing additional control and visibility over these projects to IT administrators. Admins who have not yet defined organization policies can now do so to control Apps Script projects. Admins who have already defined organization policies are now assured that those policies will also be applied to Apps Script projects. 
  • Simplifies developer project management: Developers no longer need to visit the Cloud Console to enable Google APIs - simply enabling it in the Apps Script editor is now all that’s needed. 
  • Removes ‘risky’ label for end users: End users of internally-created Apps Script projects will no longer see those projects labeled “risky” when they visit the Google Security Checkup tool at myaccount.google.com. 


How to get started 

  • Admins: Check your organization policies which will apply to new Apps Script projects. 
  • Developers: No action needed. 
  • End users: No action needed. 


Additional details 

When an Apps Script project is created, a GCP project is also created and associated with it. This GCP project controls a range of configurations and settings, including API access, G Suite Marketplace API configuration for publishing add-ons, access to Stackdriver logs, and more.

Previously, these GCP Apps Script projects existed outside of the resource hierarchy. Now, new Apps Script projects will be parented by a new “apps-script” folder in the resource hierarchy, specifically at organization root > system-gsuite (new) > apps-script (new).

This means they will be governed by organization policies, which give you centralized and programmatic control over your organization's cloud resources. Policies that can be managed here include the ability to restrict domains that are allowed to be on the ACL for Cloud projects, specify restricted APIs that Cloud projects can access, and block GCP projects from creating new GCE instances.


Helpful links 



Availability 

Rollout details 

G Suite editions 
  • Available to all G Suite editions.

On/off by default?
  • This feature will be ON by default.

Stay up to date with G Suite launches

More control over which Apps Script projects can run in your organization

You can already control the Apps Script projects that run in your organization using the G Suite API permissions settings located in the Admin console (at Security > API Permissions). Using these settings, you can block applications that request access to certain APIs—unless you’ve specifically whitelisted them. App Maker apps, add-ons, and scripts that request certain OAuth scopes (like Gmail, Calendar, Drive, etc.) are just some of the Apps Scripts projects that these settings control.

Now you can also control access to projects that request the following scopes:
  • Apps Script Runtime - Control access to projects that request certain high-risk scopes specific to Apps Script projects (e.g. UrlFetch, Container UI).
  • Apps Script API - Control access to any project (e.g. Apps Script, GCP, AWS, etc.) that requests scopes for Apps Script API (e.g. Manage Projects, Manage Deployments).


New G Suite API permissions in Admin console: Apps Script Runtime and Apps Script API

See the Help Center for instructions on whitelisting connected apps.

Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid Release and Scheduled Release

Editions:
Available to all G Suite editions

Rollout pace:
Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility)

Impact:
Admins only

Action:
Admin action suggested/FYI

More Information
Help Center: Whitelisting connected apps

Launch release calendar
Launch detail categories
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Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Google Apps Script and App Maker metrics now in the Admin console

Apps Script lets you do more with Google, like create add-ons for Docs, develop custom functions for Sheets, and manage responses in Forms. Traditionally, G Suite admins have had little or no visibility into the extent of the Apps Script usage in their organizations. With this launch, however, admins will be able to view Apps Script metrics, including number of users and number of active projects, in the Aggregate reports section of the Admin console. Admins currently participating in the App Maker Early Adopter Program will see App Maker metrics listed as well.


For more details, please visit the Help Center.

Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release

Editions:
Available to all G Suite editions

Rollout pace:
Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility)

Impact:
Admins only

Action:
Admin action suggested/FYI

More Information
Help Center: Aggregate reports


Launch release calendar
Launch detail categories
Get these product update alerts by email
Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Get more out of Google Apps Script with the Apps Script Execution API

Google Apps Script is a scripting language based on JavaScript that lets you do new and cool things with various Google Apps, like Docs, Sheets, and Forms. Today, we’re launching the Apps Script Execution API, which allows developers and Apps admins to expose the full utility of Apps Script to any application, including Android and iOS apps.

For more information on the Apps Script Execution API, please refer to our post on the Google Apps Developer Blog.

Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release

Rollout pace:
Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility)

Impact:
All developers and admins

Action:
Change management suggested/FYI

More Information
Google Apps Developer Blog

Run Apps Script code from anywhere using the Execution API

Posted by Edward Jones, Software Engineer, Google Apps Script and Wesley Chun, Developer Advocate, Google Apps

Have you ever wanted a server API that modifies cells in a Google Sheet, to execute a Google Apps Script app from outside of Google Apps, or a way to use Apps Script as an API platform? Today, we’re excited to announce you can do all that and more with the Google Apps Script Execution API.

The Execution API allows developers to execute scripts from any client (browser, server, mobile, or any device). You provide the authorization, and the Execution API will run your script. If you’re new to Apps Script, it’s simply JavaScript code hosted in the cloud that can access authorized Google Apps data using the same technology that powers add-ons. The Execution API extends the ability to execute Apps Script code and unlocks the power of Docs, Sheets, Forms, and other supported services for developers.

One of our launch partners, Pear Deck, used the new API to create an interactive presentation tool that connects students to teachers by converting slide decks into interactive experiences. Their app calls the Execution API to automatically generate a Google Doc customized for each student, so everyone gets a personalized set of notes from the presentation. Without the use of Apps Script, their app would be limited to using PDFs and other static file types. Check out the video below to see how it works.



Bruce McPherson, a Google Developer Expert (GDE) for Google Apps, says: “The Execution API is a great tool for enabling what I call ‘incremental transition’ from Microsoft Office (and VBA) to Apps (and Apps Script). A mature Office workflow may involve a number of processes currently orchestrated by VBA, with data in various formats and locations. It can be a challenge to move an entire workload in one step, especially an automated process with many moving parts. This new capability enables the migration of data and process in manageable chunks.” You can find some of Bruce’s sample migration code using the Execution API here.

The Google Apps Script Execution API is live and ready for you to use today. To get started, check out the developer documentation and quickstarts. We invite you to show us what you build with the Execution API!