Fundamentals of Google Apps Script and IDE

Lesson 1 • Google Workspace Integration Overview

Surveys the built-in services connecting Apps Script to Sheets, Docs, Drive, and Gmail. Sets expectations for what automation is achievable across the suite.

Lesson 2 • Apps Script Runtime Environment

Explains the V8 runtime, execution quotas, and how scripts run on Google's servers. Connects runtime behavior to practical script design decisions.

Lesson 3 • Authorization and Permission Model

Covers OAuth scopes, consent screens, and how Apps Script requests access to user data. Students understand security boundaries before writing their first script.

Lesson 1 • Deploying Scripts from the IDE

Introduces deployment types including web apps, add-ons, and API executables. Students understand how a finished script is published and shared.

Lesson 2 • Version Control and Script History

Explains the built-in version history, head deployments, and how to restore prior versions. Students protect their work and track changes over time.

Lesson 3 • Creating and Managing Script Projects

Covers standalone vs. container-bound projects and how to create, rename, and organize them. Students can structure projects correctly from the start.

Lesson 4 • IDE Layout and Interface Elements

Maps every panel, toolbar, and menu in the Apps Script editor. Familiarity with the interface reduces friction when writing and debugging code.

Lesson 1 • Functions and Scope

Explains function declarations, expressions, arrow functions, and variable scope. Students write reusable, well-scoped code from this point forward.

Lesson 2 • Objects, Arrays, and JSON

Deepens understanding of object literals, array methods, and JSON serialization. Essential for handling API responses and structured data in scripts.

Lesson 3 • Loops and Iteration Patterns

Covers for, while, and for...of loops for processing collections of data. Directly applicable to iterating over spreadsheet rows and arrays.

Lesson 4 • Variables, Data Types, and Operators

Covers var, let, const, primitive types, and arithmetic and comparison operators. Provides the building blocks for all subsequent scripting work.

Lesson 1 • Reading and Writing Spreadsheet Data

Covers getRange, getValue, getValues, setValue, and setValues for Sheets manipulation. Forms the basis of most data-driven Apps Script projects.

Lesson 2 • Managing Files and Folders with DriveApp

Explains file search, folder creation, file copying, and permission management via DriveApp. Students build scripts that organize and share Drive content.

Lesson 3 • Working with Sheets and Workbooks

Teaches sheet creation, deletion, renaming, and navigation across multiple sheets. Enables scripts to manage complex multi-sheet workbook structures.

Lesson 4 • Cross-Service Data Workflows

Combines Sheets, Docs, and Drive services in a single script to produce end-to-end automation. Reinforces service integration as a core design pattern.

Lesson 1 • Creating and Managing Triggers

Covers manual trigger creation via the IDE and programmatic creation using ScriptApp. Students control trigger lifecycle from setup to deletion.

Lesson 2 • Scheduling Time-Driven Automation

Teaches how to schedule scripts by minute, hour, day, or calendar date. Students design automation that runs reliably without manual intervention.

Lesson 3 • Handling Event Objects

Explains the event object passed to trigger functions, including edit, form submit, and time events. Students extract context from events to drive script logic.

Lesson 4 • Trigger Security and Quota Management

Addresses authorization requirements for installable triggers and daily execution quotas. Students build automation that stays within platform limits.

Lesson 1 • Testing Scripts Before Deployment

Introduces unit testing patterns, test data strategies, and pre-deployment checklists. Reduces production failures by validating scripts in a controlled environment.

Lesson 2 • Logging Strategies and Best Practices

Compares Logger.log, console.log, and Stackdriver Logging for different diagnostic needs. Structured logging accelerates debugging in production scripts.

Lesson 3 • Using the Apps Script Debugger

Teaches breakpoint setting, step-through execution, and variable inspection in the IDE debugger. Students isolate bugs without relying solely on log output.

Lesson 4 • Try-Catch and Graceful Error Handling

Covers try-catch-finally blocks, custom error messages, and retry logic for transient failures. Students write scripts that fail safely and recover when possible.

Lesson 1 • Caching and Rate Limit Management

Teaches CacheService for storing API responses and strategies for respecting rate limits. Students build efficient scripts that avoid quota exhaustion.

Lesson 2 • Using Google Advanced Services

Covers enabling and using advanced services like Sheets API, Calendar API, and Admin SDK. Unlocks capabilities beyond what built-in services provide.

Lesson 3 • Making HTTP Requests with UrlFetchApp

Covers GET and POST requests, headers, payloads, and response parsing using UrlFetchApp. Enables scripts to consume any REST API with JSON or XML responses.

Lesson 4 • Authentication with External APIs

Explains API key, Bearer token, and OAuth 2.0 flows for authenticating external service calls. Students securely connect to authenticated APIs without exposing credentials.

Lesson 1 • Publishing and Distributing Add-ons

Walks through the Google Workspace Marketplace submission process, listing requirements, and versioning. Students understand the full lifecycle from development to public release.

Lesson 2 • Custom Menus and Dialogs

Covers addMenu, alert, prompt, and custom dialog boxes for basic user interaction. Gives non-technical users accessible entry points into script functionality.

Lesson 3 • Developing Google Workspace Add-ons

Covers add-on manifest structure, Card Service UI, and the add-on authorization model. Students package scripts for distribution across a domain or the Marketplace.

Lesson 4 • Client-Server Communication in UIs

Explains google.script.run for asynchronous calls between HTML UI and server-side functions. Students build responsive interfaces that do not block on server operations.