javascriptgoogle-docs

Trigger Script in Google Doc via Link

I have a current script in Google Docs that adds a header with collapsible list beneath it (on a pageless setup) underneath a specific section of the document.

I am looking for users to be able to trigger the script from within the document. I have been able to achieve this in Google Spreadsheets using links and Drawings (and using a custom menu, but that's less ideal in this instance), but have not been able to achieve the same thing within Google Docs.

Ideally, a user would click a link, which would trigger the script that adds the following: Example of the text script should input

Here's the script I have so far:

function insertText() {
  var header = "Enter_Item_Title_Here"
  var bulletOneHeader = "Agenda Item Owner(s): ___________"
  var bulletTwoHeader = "Discussant: ___________"
  var bulletThreeHeader = "Discussion Date: ___________"
  var bulletFourHeader = "External follow up: ___________"
  var bulletFiveHeader = "Notes: ___________"
  var bulletSixHeader = "Action Items: ___________"
  var cursor = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument().getActiveTab().asDocumentTab().getBody();
  var pr = cursor.findText("New Items:").getElement().getParent();
  var i = cursor.getChildIndex(pr) + 1;
  cursor.insertParagraph(i, header).setHeading(DocumentApp.ParagraphHeading.HEADING3);
  cursor.insertListItem(i + 1, bulletOneHeader).setGlyphType(DocumentApp.GlyphType.BULLET).setAttributes({ [DocumentApp.Attribute.BOLD]: true });
  cursor.insertListItem(i + 2, bulletTwoHeader).setGlyphType(DocumentApp.GlyphType.BULLET).setAttributes({ [DocumentApp.Attribute.BOLD]: true });
  cursor.insertListItem(i + 3, bulletThreeHeader).setGlyphType(DocumentApp.GlyphType.BULLET).setAttributes({ [DocumentApp.Attribute.BOLD]: true });
  cursor.insertListItem(i + 4, bulletFourHeader).setGlyphType(DocumentApp.GlyphType.BULLET).setAttributes({ [DocumentApp.Attribute.BOLD]: true });
  cursor.insertListItem(i + 5, bulletFiveHeader).setGlyphType(DocumentApp.GlyphType.BULLET).setAttributes({ [DocumentApp.Attribute.BOLD]: true });
  cursor.insertListItem(i + 6, bulletSixHeader).setGlyphType(DocumentApp.GlyphType.BULLET).setAttributes({ [DocumentApp.Attribute.BOLD]: true });
}

Here's an example google doc that includes the script I have so far.

I've been looking at and playing around with this existing question and also this one, but haven't been able to figure it out.

Solution

  • The goal is to trigger the script from within the document using a link.

    If a custom menu is less ideal in this instance, this is an example script that uses Web Apps, which should do what you'd like:

    Template Text.gs:

    function doGet() {
  return HtmlService.createHtmlOutputFromFile("Untitled");
}

    Untitled.html:

    <!DOCTYPE html>
<html>

<head>
  <base target="_top">
</head>

<body>
  <p>You may now close this page.</p>
</body>
<script>
  function myFunction() {
    google.script.run.insertText();
  }

  window.onload = function() {
    myFunction();
  };
</script>

</html>

    After adding these codes to your Template Text.gs and Untitled.html, select Deploy > New deployment > Next to "Select type," click Enable deployment types settings > Enter the information about your web app in the fields under "Deployment configuration." > Deploy to get a link that you can embed to myLink.

    Note: This is simply a basic example. As I've mentioned in the comments, this wouldn't be as straightforward as using a custom menu since users will have to manually close the tab after they click the link of the web app.