AppsScriptPulse

Official News

Google Workspace Developer News: Managing Folders with Limited and Expansive Access with the Drive API

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There are nine updates highlighted in this month’s Google Workspace Developer News. The news that caught my eye the most relates to updates to the Google Drive API and upcoming changes to My Drive folders with restricted access.

Google Drive API: Managing Folders with Limited and Expansive Access

Google recently announced that by 2026, it will stop allowing restricted access on specific files and folders in My Drive, instead consistently managing it via the limited access folder setting. These changes will align the My Drive experience with Shared Drives, which use an expansive access model where everyone sees the same items in a folder. For developers wanting to get ahead of the curve, there are several new fields that can be used. The Google Workspace Developer News episode gives an overview of these, and there is a new Google Developers Documentation guide on Manage folders with limited and expansive access. In summary:

  • Restricting Folder Access: To limit access to a folder, developers can set the boolean inheritedPermissionsDisabled field on the files resource to true.
  • Opt-in API Behavior: Developers can also opt in to expansive access API behavior in My Drive ahead of any future mandatory enforcement by setting the enforceExpansiveAccess request parameter to true on the permissions.delete() and permissions.update() methods.

Other Updates

Here’s a brief overview of the other updates covered in the Google Workspace Developer News video:

  • Apps Script Rhino Runtime Deprecation: Also already highlighted in Pulse, the Apps Script Rhino runtime will no longer function after January 31, 2026.
  • Google Meet API Enhancements: All meeting participants can query conference data, including the conference records, the conference artifacts, and the participant records, using the Google Meet API.
  • Google Meet Pre-Configurations: Auto-recording, auto-transcripts, and “take notes for me” can now be pre-configured within a meeting space when created. This feature is available through the Developer Preview Program.
  • Google Meet Media API: The Google Meet Media API is now available through the Developer Preview Program, granting access to real-time media from Google Meet conferences.
  • Reports API Updates: Google Chat now supports the customerUsageReports.get() and userUsageReports.get() methods for the Reports API.

Source: Apps Script’s Rhino runtime deprecated, launch of Meet Media API, and more!

Official News

Rhino Runtime Retirement: Action Needed for Apps Script Projects

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As of February 20, 2025, the Rhino runtime is deprecated. Scripts running on Rhino will continue to function until January 31, 2026, after which they will no longer execute. Please migrate your scripts to the V8 runtime before this date. Refer to Migrate scripts to the V8 runtime.

Attention Google Workspace Developers!

A recent email to Google Workspace administrators announced the upcoming retirement of the Rhino runtime for Apps Script. As also highlighted in the Apps Script release notes, all Apps Script projects still using the Rhino runtime must be migrated to the V8 runtime by January 31, 2026, to avoid execution issues.

What this means for Workspace Developers:

If you are a Workspace developer, even if you don’t have an administrator role, it’s crucial to check your Apps Script projects for Rhino runtime usage. The email to administrators included a CSV file listing affected projects, with details such as:

  • Script URL, Script ID, Last Updated: Identifies the specific script.
  • Creator Email, Owner Email: Identifies the script’s originators.
  • Incompatibility Reason: Explains why the script needs migration.
  • Execution Count: Shows how often the script is used.
  • Additional Information: Includes opt-out status, library dependencies, etc.

Suggested Actions for Developers:

  • Non-Admins: You might want to contact your Workspace administrator to find out if any of your or your colleague Apps Script projects are on the list of affected scripts and ask for guidance on the migration process.
  • Third-Party Developers: You may want to proactively reach out to your customers to inform them of the upcoming changes, offer assistance with the migration, and ensure their scripts are updated before the deadline to prevent any disruption in their services.
  • Workspace Admins: Review the CSV file to identify your affected scripts, prioritize migrating scripts with high usage first to minimize user disruption, and understand the specific issues that need to be addressed in each script.

Important Considerations:

Google provides a migration guide and support resources to assist with the transition. In particular, it is worth noting that:

  • For Apps Script web apps and Google Workspace Add-ons “[You] must create a new version of the script with the V8 adjustments. To make the V8 version available to users, you must re-publish the script with this version.”
  • When updating standalone scripts to run on the V8 runtime, “you need to provide users at least view access to the script in order for the script’s triggers to work properly.”

It’s also important to note that while the V8 runtime generally offers performance advantages, there have been some reports of specific instances where performance with JDBC connectors might not be as efficient as in the Rhino runtime.

So don’t delay, start migrating your Apps Script projects today!

Source: Google Apps Script release notes  |  Google for Developers

Official News, AppSheet, No Code

AppSheet’s New Gmail Integration: Bridging the Gap Between your Inbox and Applications

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We’re pleased to announce the public preview of Gmail integration with AppSheet – something we know has been a longstanding community request. With this preview launch, your Gmail inbox can seamlessly connect to the full breadth of downstream processes AppSheet automation already offers.

AppSheet has introduced a Gmail integration in public preview, offering a workaround for situations including third-party applications that lack direct integration with Google Workspace via add-ons or APIs. With this new feature users can now connect their Gmail inboxes to AppSheet, enabling incoming emails to trigger various automations.

How it Works

Users can link their AppSheet apps to authorized Gmail accounts and select specific labels in their Gmail inboxes for monitoring. When an email arrives with a designated label, AppSheet receives information about the email, including the sender, subject, and body. This information can then be used to automate various tasks and processes within the AppSheet platform.

Things to Note

Currently, the beta release does not include support for attachments, but AppSheet is working on adding this feature for the full release later this year. Also, Gmail cannot be used as a full data source in AppSheet. To save Gmail messages in an app table, users need to create a process to add the email data.

Availability and Feedback

The Gmail integration is rolling out to all AppSheet users soon as part of the preview and the AppSheet team is encouraging users to provide feedback on this new integration. To read more and provide feedback follow the source link

Source: Gmail Integration in AppSheet: Now in Public Preview! (Beta)

Official News, Solutions

Google Workspace Developer News: Google Chat features, Workspace Admin Policy API, and More!

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Chanel Greco is back with more exciting news for Google Workspace developers in the latest Google Workspace Developer News video. As always Chanel is able to pack in lots of detail in under 4 minutes, and if you prefer text over video here are the highlights!

Spreadsheet Class Gets a Boost:

The Apps Script Spreadsheet class has received a handy new method: getSheetById(). This allows developers to directly fetch a sheet within a spreadsheet using its unique ID, simplifying sheet management within scripts.

Transparency for Calendar Events:

Developers can now control the transparency of Google Calendar events programmatically. The new functionality allows setting an event as TRANSPARENT (showing the calendar as Available during that time) or OPAQUE (showing the calendar as Busy). This granular control enhances calendar integration and automation possibilities.

Deprecation Notice:

While new features are welcomed, it’s also important to note deprecations. The getUrl() method for CellImage, CellImageBuilder, and OverGridImage classes within the Apps Script Spreadsheet service is now deprecated. This change reflects the fact that an image’s source URL isn’t consistently accessible regardless of the image insertion method.

Workspace Policy API Goes GA:

A significant announcement for Workspace administrators is the general availability of the Workspace Policy API. This API enables programmatic access to over 60 Google Workspace Admin settings, making auditing and monitoring the Workspace environment more efficient.

Open-Source Drive Picker on NPM:

The Google Drive Picker web component has been published to NPM, making it easier for developers to integrate the Google Picker API into their web applications. This open-source component, designed as a reusable custom HTML element, simplifies the process of adding Google Drive file selection capabilities to web projects.

Chat App Enhancements:

For developers working with Google Chat, there are several exciting updates, primarily available through the Developer Preview Program. These include:

  • Quick Commands: Users can interact with Chat apps more quickly and efficiently using quick commands, which invoke the app directly without requiring slash commands or additional input.
  • AppCommandPayload for Slash Commands: Chat apps built as Google Workspace Add-ons now utilize AppCommandPayload instead of MessagePayload for handling slash and quick commands.
  • Carousel Support: Chat apps can incorporate carousels to display scrollable collections of items, further enhancing the user experience.
  • Announcement Space Management: Developers can programmatically create announcement spaces and manage space permission settings using the Chat API with App Authentication.
  • Expanded UI Widget Library: More Google Workspace Add-on UI widgets are now available for Chat apps, providing developers with a richer set of tools for creating interactive experiences.

Stay Up-to-Date:

To learn more and explore these features in detail, visit the Google Workspace Developers YouTube channel and check the video description for links to relevant documentation.

Source: Update to Apps Script’s Spreadsheet class, new Workspace Policy API, and more!

Official News, Solutions

Granular OAuth consent in the Apps Script IDE: Workspace Add-on Devs should take note

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Starting today, the OAuth consent screen will now let users specify which individual OAuth scopes they would like to authorize. For example, if a script requests access to a user’s Sheets and Forms files, and the users only intends to use the script with Sheets files, they can decide to only allow access to their spreadsheets and not their forms. This affords users the benefit of more granular control over what data their 3P applications are allowed to access.

Exciting news for Apps Script developers and users! Google has taken the first step towards more granular control over OAuth consent in Apps Script. This means users can now choose exactly which services their scripts can access, leading to a more secure and transparent experience.

What’s New?

Previously, when running a script that required access to multiple services (like Google Sheets and Forms), users had to grant permission to all or nothing. This all-or-nothing approach could make some users hesitant to use scripts, especially if they were only comfortable granting access to a subset of the requested services.

With the latest update, the OAuth consent screen now allows users to authorize individual services. For instance, if a script needs access to both Google Sheets and Forms, but the user only intends to use it with Sheets, they can simply grant access to Sheets and deny access to Forms.

This change is currently being gradually rolled out to the Apps Script IDE, with expected completion by January 24, 2025.

Enhanced Security and Transparency

This granular control over OAuth consent is a significant step towards improving the security and transparency of Apps Script. Users now have more control over their data and can make informed decisions about which services they want to allow their scripts to access.

This change also benefits developers, as it can help build trust with users and encourage wider adoption of their scripts.

A Glimpse into the Future: Chat Apps and Workspace Add-ons

While currently limited to the Apps Script IDE, this granular OAuth consent model will eventually be implemented in other Apps Script surfaces, notably Chat apps and Workspace Add-ons. This has implications for developers working in these areas.

For Chat app and Workspace Add-on developers, this means it’s time to start thinking about how this granular consent model will impact your development process and user experience. You can start experimenting with the new methods added to the ScriptApp and AuthorizationInfo classes to programmatically handle different consent scenarios.

Digging Deeper: AuthorizationInfo

To help developers manage these granular permissions, Google has introduced the AuthorizationInfo class. This class provides methods to check authorization status, retrieve authorized scopes, and even generate authorization URLs. Here’s a quick look at some of its key functionalities:

  • getAuthorizationStatus() : This method allows you to determine if a user needs to authorize the script to use one or more services.
  • getAuthorizationUrl() : This method returns an authorization URL that can be used to grant access to the script.
  • getAuthorizedScopes() : This method returns a list of authorized scopes for the script.

These methods give developers fine-grained control over the authorization process, enabling them to build more robust and user-friendly applications. Google have already published a great developer guide on how to Handle granular OAuth permissions.

Learn More

To learn more about this update, be sure to check out the official announcement provided in the source link.

Source: Granular OAuth consent in Google Apps Script IDE executions

Official News

Google Workspace Developer News: Google Chat enhancements and more!

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The latest Google Workspace Developer News brings exciting updates, particularly for Google Chat. If you are in the Developer Preview Program there are a number of updates including the ability to build Google Workspace Add-ons that include Google Chat apps, simplifying app creation and reducing the need for separate Chat apps. This will hopefully simplify the installation process for admins and end-users, providing a more seamless experience.

Another helpful update allows the creation of group chats in import mode when migrating to Google Chat from other platforms, facilitating a smoother transition. Additionally, developers can now get or update users’ Google Chat space notification settings and list custom emojis through the Chat API, offering greater control and customisation.

The Calendar API has been enhanced, now providing access to birthday and other special events and enabling the differentiation of regular events from other types using the Apps Script Calendar service.

For detailed information and links to relevant documentation, be sure to check the video description on YouTube.

Source: Update to Calendar API, Google Workspace Add ons that extend Google Chat, and more!

Official News

Google Workspace Developer News: Google Sheets supports smart chips for link previews, Update to Chat API, and more

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Chanel Greco is back with Episode 12 of the Google Workspace Developer News. An exciting update is that Google Sheets now supports smart chips for link previews to third-party resources. This now allows developers to create Google Workspace Add-ons that can pull information from their app directly into Sheets.

Other updates include:

  • The Chat API can now create announcement spaces and read/update space permissions.
  • New widgets for card-based Chat app interfaces are generally available.
  • Chat API Space & Membership management with App Authentication is available for Developer Preview Program members.
  • The Chat API can manage custom emoji when enabled for a Workspace organization.
  • The Meet Add-ons SDK can now retrieve the meetingCode property of an ongoing meeting.

More details including links to the documentation are included in the YouTube description.

Source: Google Sheets supports smart chips for link previews, Update to Chat API, and more!

Community News, Official News

Attention Google Workspace Admins and Developers: New Google Workspace Admin Console API (Policy API) and GAM access

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Google recently announced an open beta of the new Policy API. This new API now means developers can read a number of Google Workspace Admin settings programmatically, including those applied at an OU and group level.

This API provides access to the settings that are part of the recommendations published in CISA’s Google Workspace secure configuration baseline, with plans to increase the coverage and functionality of the API.

Additionally, GAM7, the recent merge of GAM and GAM-ADV, has been updated with the ability to read policy data, further streamlining policy management tasks.

You can read more about Audit security settings using the Policy API, now available in open beta and Announcing new policy commands in GAM 7.00.27

Community News, Official News

Calling all Google Workspace Developers! Your feedback is needed

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Steven Bazyl, Head of Google Workspace Developer Relations, recently distributed a survey aimed at getting feedback on the Google Workspace platform. This is your chance to influence the future of the platform.

The survey is short and focuses on key areas like:

  • Overall satisfaction with Workspace Platform as a development environment
  • Your experiences with specific Workspace components (Meet, Chat, Gmail, Drive, Editors)
  • The biggest challenges you face in Workspace development
  • Your suggestions for improvements

By sharing your insights you have an opportunity to help shape the platform to better meet your needs and make your development workflows more efficient. I would encourage you to complete the survey (it only takes a few minutes) and share with other Google Workspace developers.

Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard as this is the final week that the survey is open!

Survey link: Complete the Workspace Platform Developer Survey
LinkedIn post: Google Workspace user group post

Official News

Google Workspace Developer News: Create and organize Docs with the new ‘tabs’ API methods and more

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A slightly shorter Google Workspace Developer News episode this month from Chanel Greco (Google Workspace, DevRel). New features for developers include using the Google Docs API or Apps Script to create and organize documents with tabs. Google Meet Add-ons now have the ability to end collaborations programmatically. Google Chat apps have expanded card interface features, such as Material Design buttons and ChipList widgets.

Lastly, developers are encouraged to use Cloud Client Libraries when calling Chat API for improved efficiency. You can find out more about all these updates by following the source link.

Source: Create and organize Docs with tabs, more card interface features for Google Chat, and more!