Google Apps Script Trigger

An Google Apps Script Trigger is a Google Apps Script component that allows a script to automatically respond to specified trigger events in Google Workspace products.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) be used to automate processes in Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Forms.
  • It can (often) be set up through the Google Apps Script Editor.
  • It can (often) execute a Script Function when a triggering event, such as onOpen or onEdit, occurs.
  • It can range from being a Simple Google Apps Script Triggers and Installable Google Apps Script Triggers.
  • …
• Example(s):
  • One that responds to a new row is added to a Google Spreadsheet (which then automatically sends an email).
  • One that responds to Google Form Events (to create a Google Slides presentation).
  • …
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Manual invocation of a script function.
  • A script that runs continuously without a triggering event.
  • …
• See: Google Apps Script, Script Automation, G Suite Automation, AWS Lambda, Azure Function, Google Cloud Function.

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References

2023

• "Simple Triggers."
  • QUOTE: Triggers let Apps Script run a function automatically when a certain event, like opening a document, occurs. Simple triggers are a set of reserved functions built into Apps Script, like the function onOpen(e), which executes when a user opens a Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Forms file. Installable triggers offer more capabilities than simple triggers but must be activated before use. For both types of triggers, Apps Script passes the triggered function an event object that contains information about the context in which the event occurred.

2023

• GBard
  • Google Apps Script triggers are used to run scripts at specific times or in response to certain events. Triggers can be created for a variety of events, such as when a spreadsheet is edited, when a form is submitted, or when a time-driven event occurs.

    To create a trigger, you first need to create a script. You can do this by opening the Script Editor in your Google app. Once you have created a script, you can create a trigger for it by clicking the "Triggers" tab in the Script Editor.

    There are two types of triggers: time-driven triggers and event-driven triggers. Time-driven triggers run your script at a specific time or on a recurring schedule. Event-driven triggers run your script in response to a specific event, such as when a spreadsheet is edited or a form is submitted.

  • To create a time-driven trigger, you need to select the "Time-driven" option and then specify the time or schedule for the trigger. You can also specify an optional start date and end date for the trigger.
  • To create an event-driven trigger, you need to select the "Event-driven" option and then select the type of event that will trigger the script. You can also specify an optional condition for the trigger. For example, you could create a trigger that runs your script only when a specific cell in a spreadsheet is edited.
  • Once you have created a trigger, you can edit it or delete it by clicking the "Edit" or "Delete" button next to the trigger in the Script Editor.
  • Here are some examples of how Google Apps Script triggers can be used:
    • Send an email notification when a new row is added to a spreadsheet
    • Update a dashboard with real-time data from a third-party API
    • Generate a report based on data in a spreadsheet
    • Automate a task that you would normally do manually

2020

• "How to use GCP service accounts with Google Apps Script projects to automate actions in G Suite."
  • QUOTE: ... The automation works as follows:
  • The basic flow is:
    • The User fills out a Google Form answering the question “What is your favorite animal”?
    • The onFormSubmit event triggers the Apps Script to run (see Simple triggers | available types of triggers for more information)
    • The Google Apps Script copies a Google Slides Template and injects an image of the favorite animal chosen in step one

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