Google Apps Script, calling function once when document is copied












0















I have been playing around with Google Script Editor and I've gotten heaps of use out of it.



The next task that I am looking at is automatic formatting and text insertion/replacement when copying a Template.



An example use case is as follows: Within my organisation I have submitted a Doc to the template gallery. When creating a copy of the template I want it to automatically insert today's date and the current time (rounded to the nearest hour).



This is a question about the Triggers. The text replacement bit is easy and done. Not to mention this is just one of the basic use cases, I'll be attempting many more similar behaviours with things like timesheets and the like.



The problem that I am running into is that I can't seem to get the triggers to work as I'd like them to.



2 of the Triggers that I thought I could try and use: onOpen(e) and onInstall(e).



onOpen(e), though it works, it works "too well". That is, it also replaces the text on the original template as well, proving a nuisance when updating info in these templates.



onInstall(e), I thought this would work as creating a copy of the Doc also "installs" the script as well. However this function doesn't seem to run at all.



Any ideas about getting a trigger to happen once and only once when a Doc is created from a template?



Cheers,
Bricktron










share|improve this question



























    0















    I have been playing around with Google Script Editor and I've gotten heaps of use out of it.



    The next task that I am looking at is automatic formatting and text insertion/replacement when copying a Template.



    An example use case is as follows: Within my organisation I have submitted a Doc to the template gallery. When creating a copy of the template I want it to automatically insert today's date and the current time (rounded to the nearest hour).



    This is a question about the Triggers. The text replacement bit is easy and done. Not to mention this is just one of the basic use cases, I'll be attempting many more similar behaviours with things like timesheets and the like.



    The problem that I am running into is that I can't seem to get the triggers to work as I'd like them to.



    2 of the Triggers that I thought I could try and use: onOpen(e) and onInstall(e).



    onOpen(e), though it works, it works "too well". That is, it also replaces the text on the original template as well, proving a nuisance when updating info in these templates.



    onInstall(e), I thought this would work as creating a copy of the Doc also "installs" the script as well. However this function doesn't seem to run at all.



    Any ideas about getting a trigger to happen once and only once when a Doc is created from a template?



    Cheers,
    Bricktron










    share|improve this question

























      0












      0








      0








      I have been playing around with Google Script Editor and I've gotten heaps of use out of it.



      The next task that I am looking at is automatic formatting and text insertion/replacement when copying a Template.



      An example use case is as follows: Within my organisation I have submitted a Doc to the template gallery. When creating a copy of the template I want it to automatically insert today's date and the current time (rounded to the nearest hour).



      This is a question about the Triggers. The text replacement bit is easy and done. Not to mention this is just one of the basic use cases, I'll be attempting many more similar behaviours with things like timesheets and the like.



      The problem that I am running into is that I can't seem to get the triggers to work as I'd like them to.



      2 of the Triggers that I thought I could try and use: onOpen(e) and onInstall(e).



      onOpen(e), though it works, it works "too well". That is, it also replaces the text on the original template as well, proving a nuisance when updating info in these templates.



      onInstall(e), I thought this would work as creating a copy of the Doc also "installs" the script as well. However this function doesn't seem to run at all.



      Any ideas about getting a trigger to happen once and only once when a Doc is created from a template?



      Cheers,
      Bricktron










      share|improve this question














      I have been playing around with Google Script Editor and I've gotten heaps of use out of it.



      The next task that I am looking at is automatic formatting and text insertion/replacement when copying a Template.



      An example use case is as follows: Within my organisation I have submitted a Doc to the template gallery. When creating a copy of the template I want it to automatically insert today's date and the current time (rounded to the nearest hour).



      This is a question about the Triggers. The text replacement bit is easy and done. Not to mention this is just one of the basic use cases, I'll be attempting many more similar behaviours with things like timesheets and the like.



      The problem that I am running into is that I can't seem to get the triggers to work as I'd like them to.



      2 of the Triggers that I thought I could try and use: onOpen(e) and onInstall(e).



      onOpen(e), though it works, it works "too well". That is, it also replaces the text on the original template as well, proving a nuisance when updating info in these templates.



      onInstall(e), I thought this would work as creating a copy of the Doc also "installs" the script as well. However this function doesn't seem to run at all.



      Any ideas about getting a trigger to happen once and only once when a Doc is created from a template?



      Cheers,
      Bricktron







      google-apps-script






      share|improve this question













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      asked Nov 20 '18 at 4:33









      BricktronBricktron

      154




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          First of all, Trigger onInstall(e) works only for Add-ons.
          Now coming to onOpen(e), in my opinion you can use Google Apps Script Property's Services to store one flag which helps your code identifying whether this file has been opened or not.



          So for very first time onOpen(e) runs, assign property eg: propertyService.setProperty("opened","TRUE") and next time you can check by accessing the property whether it has been already "opened" or not.



          Example:



          var openedFlag=propertyService.getProperty("opened");
          if(openedFlag=="TRUE"){
          //Document has been modified
          //Do not run the modifiable code again
          }else {
          //First time
          //Edit the file
          //Set the propertyService to "TRUE"
          }





          share|improve this answer























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            First of all, Trigger onInstall(e) works only for Add-ons.
            Now coming to onOpen(e), in my opinion you can use Google Apps Script Property's Services to store one flag which helps your code identifying whether this file has been opened or not.



            So for very first time onOpen(e) runs, assign property eg: propertyService.setProperty("opened","TRUE") and next time you can check by accessing the property whether it has been already "opened" or not.



            Example:



            var openedFlag=propertyService.getProperty("opened");
            if(openedFlag=="TRUE"){
            //Document has been modified
            //Do not run the modifiable code again
            }else {
            //First time
            //Edit the file
            //Set the propertyService to "TRUE"
            }





            share|improve this answer




























              1














              First of all, Trigger onInstall(e) works only for Add-ons.
              Now coming to onOpen(e), in my opinion you can use Google Apps Script Property's Services to store one flag which helps your code identifying whether this file has been opened or not.



              So for very first time onOpen(e) runs, assign property eg: propertyService.setProperty("opened","TRUE") and next time you can check by accessing the property whether it has been already "opened" or not.



              Example:



              var openedFlag=propertyService.getProperty("opened");
              if(openedFlag=="TRUE"){
              //Document has been modified
              //Do not run the modifiable code again
              }else {
              //First time
              //Edit the file
              //Set the propertyService to "TRUE"
              }





              share|improve this answer


























                1












                1








                1







                First of all, Trigger onInstall(e) works only for Add-ons.
                Now coming to onOpen(e), in my opinion you can use Google Apps Script Property's Services to store one flag which helps your code identifying whether this file has been opened or not.



                So for very first time onOpen(e) runs, assign property eg: propertyService.setProperty("opened","TRUE") and next time you can check by accessing the property whether it has been already "opened" or not.



                Example:



                var openedFlag=propertyService.getProperty("opened");
                if(openedFlag=="TRUE"){
                //Document has been modified
                //Do not run the modifiable code again
                }else {
                //First time
                //Edit the file
                //Set the propertyService to "TRUE"
                }





                share|improve this answer













                First of all, Trigger onInstall(e) works only for Add-ons.
                Now coming to onOpen(e), in my opinion you can use Google Apps Script Property's Services to store one flag which helps your code identifying whether this file has been opened or not.



                So for very first time onOpen(e) runs, assign property eg: propertyService.setProperty("opened","TRUE") and next time you can check by accessing the property whether it has been already "opened" or not.



                Example:



                var openedFlag=propertyService.getProperty("opened");
                if(openedFlag=="TRUE"){
                //Document has been modified
                //Do not run the modifiable code again
                }else {
                //First time
                //Edit the file
                //Set the propertyService to "TRUE"
                }






                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Nov 20 '18 at 11:02









                SIDMISHSIDMISH

                46110




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