10 Essential Google Docs Script Templates You Need

Google Docs is an incredibly powerful tool, and when you combine it with Google Apps Script, you can take your productivity to the next level! 🚀 Whether you're writing a report, crafting a newsletter, or managing your team’s tasks, using scripts can automate repetitive tasks and save you tons of time. In this article, we’ll explore 10 essential Google Docs script templates that you definitely need in your workflow. Each template comes with helpful tips, common mistakes to avoid, and troubleshooting advice. Let’s get started!

1. Automatic Table of Contents Generator

Creating a table of contents (TOC) manually can be a hassle, especially for lengthy documents. With this script, you can automate it:

function createTableOfContents() {
  var doc = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  var body = doc.getBody();
  var toc = body.appendParagraph('Table of Contents').setHeading(1);
  
  var headers = body.getParagraphs().filter(function(p) {
    return p.getHeading() !== DocumentApp.ParagraphHeading.NORMAL;
  });

  headers.forEach(function(header) {
    toc.appendText(header.getText() + '\n');
    toc.appendText(header.getLinkUrl() + '\n');
  });
  
  doc.saveAndClose();
}

<p class="pro-note">📝 Pro Tip: Always update your TOC after making changes to your headers.</p>

2. Bulk Email Sender

If you're looking to send emails directly from a Google Docs document, this script can help. Just prepare a list and let the script handle the sending:

function sendBulkEmails() {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet();
  var range = sheet.getDataRange();
  var data = range.getValues();
  
  data.forEach(function(row) {
    MailApp.sendEmail(row[0], row[1], row[2]);
  });
}

<p class="pro-note">📧 Pro Tip: Test sending an email to yourself before sending out to a list.</p>

3. Auto-Formatting for Meeting Notes

Keeping your meeting notes organized can be tricky. Use this script to apply formatting automatically:

function formatMeetingNotes() {
  var doc = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  var body = doc.getBody();
  
  body.getParagraphs().forEach(function(p) {
    if (p.getText().includes("Action Item")) {
      p.setBold(true);
      p.setForegroundColor('#FF0000'); // Red color for emphasis
    }
  });
}

<p class="pro-note">🔍 Pro Tip: Add a prefix to your action items to easily filter them later.</p>

4. Document Collaborator Inviter

Invite collaborators directly to your document through a script, making it easier to share with teams:

function inviteCollaborators() {
  var emailList = ['email1@example.com', 'email2@example.com'];
  var doc = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();

  emailList.forEach(function(email) {
    doc.addEditor(email);
  });
}

<p class="pro-note">🤝 Pro Tip: Check for existing editors before inviting to avoid duplicates.</p>

5. Word Counter

Knowing your word count is crucial for many documents. Here’s a script that counts words and displays the total:

function countWords() {
  var doc = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  var body = doc.getBody();
  var text = body.getText();
  var wordCount = text.split(/\s+/).length;
  
  Logger.log('Total Word Count: ' + wordCount);
}

<p class="pro-note">📊 Pro Tip: Use this before finalizing documents to meet word count requirements.</p>

6. Comment Reminder Notification

Sometimes, you need to be reminded of comments that need your attention. This script can send you an email reminder:

function emailCommentReminders() {
  var doc = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  var comments = doc.getComments();
  var emailBody = '';

  comments.forEach(function(comment) {
    emailBody += comment.getText() + "\n";
  });

  MailApp.sendEmail("your-email@example.com", "Comments Reminder", emailBody);
}

<p class="pro-note">🔔 Pro Tip: Schedule this script to run weekly to stay on top of your comments.</p>

7. Custom Template Creator

If you often create similar documents, automate the creation of a custom template with a script:

function createCustomTemplate() {
  var doc = DocumentApp.create('New Custom Template');
  var body = doc.getBody();
  
  body.appendParagraph('Title Here').setHeading(1);
  body.appendParagraph('Date: ' + new Date()).setHeading(3);
}

<p class="pro-note">🛠 Pro Tip: Personalize templates with your branding for professional output.</p>

8. PDF Exporter

Want to share your Google Doc as a PDF? This script does just that:

function exportToPDF() {
  var doc = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  var url = 'https://docs.google.com/document/d/' + doc.getId() + '/export?format=pdf';
  
  Logger.log(url);
}

<p class="pro-note">📥 Pro Tip: Customize the PDF file name by adding a timestamp or relevant keywords.</p>

9. Daily Summary Email

For those who want a daily recap of a document’s changes, this script can help by sending a summary email:

function sendDailySummary() {
  var doc = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  var summary = doc.getBody().getText();

  MailApp.sendEmail("your-email@example.com", "Daily Summary", summary);
}

<p class="pro-note">⏰ Pro Tip: Set a time-driven trigger to run this script daily.</p>

10. Data Importer from Google Sheets

You can pull in data from Google Sheets into your document automatically with this script:

function importDataFromSheet() {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.openById('YOUR_SHEET_ID').getActiveSheet();
  var data = sheet.getDataRange().getValues();
  var doc = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  var body = doc.getBody();

  data.forEach(function(row) {
    body.appendParagraph(row.join(', '));
  });
}

<p class="pro-note">📂 Pro Tip: Keep your sheet updated to reflect changes in your document.</p>

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>What is Google Apps Script?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Google Apps Script is a scripting language that allows you to automate tasks across Google Workspace applications like Docs, Sheets, and Slides.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Do I need coding skills to use these scripts?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Basic knowledge of JavaScript will help, but many scripts can be copied and used without modification.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can I customize these scripts for my needs?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Absolutely! Each script can be modified to better suit your specific use cases or workflows.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Where do I find my scripts after creating them?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>You can find your scripts in the 'Extensions' menu under 'Apps Script' in Google Docs.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Are these scripts compatible with all documents?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Yes, these scripts can be used in any Google Doc. Ensure that you have the necessary permissions for any data accessed.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

As we've seen, incorporating Google Apps Script into your Google Docs workflow can dramatically boost your productivity. From automatic document formatting to seamless data imports, these scripts are your new best friends! Make sure to practice using these templates, and don’t hesitate to explore related tutorials to enhance your skills further. Happy scripting!

<p class="pro-note">✨ Pro Tip: Explore Google’s documentation to discover even more powerful scripts and techniques.</p>