AppsScriptPulse

Solutions, Web App, Advanced

Major update to the website framework for Apps Script Web Apps

Tags:
| | 0 Comments |

Editor: We’ve previously featured Zig Mandel’s comprehensive framework that integrates Google Apps Script web apps into a standard website. Zig has been busy with an update which we are reposting from Reddit with permission:

I’ve shipped a major update to my Apps Script Website Integration Framework. The framework now allows running an HTMLService frontend entirely outside the GAS iframe, directly on your website.

Why use this?
HTMLService is convenient, but the iframe environment blocks a lot of modern web-dev capabilities: slow load, limited browser APIs, no TypeScript, no React, no Vite/live-reload, no custom domains, etc.

This update removes all of those constraints. You can develop, debug, and deploy a GAS webapp like a normal website – using any tooling, libraries, or build process you want.

How this compares to the previous method
The original method already bypassed several HTMLService limitations. The new approach goes further by running completely outside the iframe (faster, full capabilities), with one trade-off: it doesn’t support HTML templates. If you rely on templates, you can start with the original method and later migrate to this new method once templates are no longer needed.

The monorepo includes live working examples. Star if you like it!

Repo here: https://github.com/zmandel/demosite_appscript

Solutions, Web App, Advanced

Bridging the Gap: A Framework for Securely Embedding Apps Script Web Apps on Custom Domains

Tags:
| | 0 Comments |

This framework integrates Google Apps Script web apps into a standard website

Integrating a Google Apps Script web app into a public website offers powerful possibilities, but developers can often hit a wall of limitations. Serving from a custom domain, managing multiple Google account logins, preventing security vulnerabilities like clickjacking, and providing a smooth user experience are significant hurdles.

A new open-source framework from developer Zig Mandel provides a comprehensive solution, offering a flexible framework for embedding Apps Script web apps securely and professionally. At its core, the framework uses a parent website to host the Apps Script in an iframe, using a secure postMessage protocol for communication between the parent website and your web app. A key innovation is its ability to dynamically and securely load different script deployments using a cryptographic signature (org/sig) system, preventing unauthorised use while enabling advanced features like centralised logging and analytics integration.

What This Framework Solves

This solution is more than just an iframe wrapper; it’s a complete integration kit designed to enhance your Apps Script web app to a professional standard. It addresses several key pain points:

  • Custom Domain Serving: Serve your app from your own domain, not the standard script.google.com URL.
  • Secure Embedding: A communication protocol and domain validation prevent your app from being embedded on unauthorized sites.
  • Multi-Account & Workspace Compatibility: The framework is built to handle complexities that arise when users are logged into multiple Google accounts or are using a Google Workspace account.
  • Seamless User Experience: The architecture eliminates the jarring “flash” of a new page loading within the iframe, creating a smooth transition for single-page application (MPA) style web apps.
  • Analytics & Logging Integration: Send events from your Apps Script directly to the parent website’s Google Tag Manager instance and forward client-side logs to a centralized location like Google Cloud Logging.

Summary

In short, this framework hopefully unlocks a better way to implement public-facing Google Apps Script for web applications. For developers it provides the tools to overcome common embedding hurdles, moving beyond simple scripts to create secure, professional, and seamlessly integrated user experiences. To explore the code and get started on your own integration, check out the repository on GitHub.

Source: GitHub – zmandel/demosite_appscript

Solutions, Sheets, Intermediate

Create Jira timelines for multiple projects in Google Sheets with Apps Script

Tags:
| | 0 Comments |

Create awesome Jira timelines for multiple projects in Google sheets – zmandel/timeline-jira-google-sheets

Viewing Jira timelines in Google Sheets can be beneficial in a number of ways including allowing you to use the features of Sheets for further analysis and exploration of the data. One such feature is Google Sheet timeline graphs. These can be customisable and let you configure timelines to display specific data, such as issue type, priority, or assignee.

To help with getting your Jira data into Google Sheets, Sig Mandel has recently published a Google Sheets template which you can copy and connect to your Jira data. Features of the template include:

Makes Timelines with Multiple Jira Projects – Create comprehensive timelines that encompass multiple Jira projects, enabling you to visualize and track the progress of related initiatives simultaneously.

Alerts When Issues Are Not Started or Ended on Time – Stay informed with timely alerts that notify you when issues are not started or ended according to their designated timelines. Proactively address potential delays and ensure projects remain on schedule.

View Timelines as Regular Sheets and as Native Timelines – View your timelines in two distinct formats: as traditional spreadsheets for detailed analysis and as visually appealing native timelines that offer a comprehensive overview of project progress.

One Click to View Issue Details or to Open in Jira – Seamlessly access issue details and navigate to the corresponding Jira issues with a single click. Quickly drill down into specific tasks to gain deeper insights and make informed decisions.

Works in “Epics & Stories” and “Stories & Subtasks” Modes for Issue Grouping – Customize your timelines by grouping issues based on “Epics & Stories” or “Stories & Subtasks.” This flexibility allows you to tailor the timeline presentation to your project’s unique structure and requirements.

Keeps All Previously Made Timelines for Easy Comparison – Maintain a historical record of all previously created timelines. Easily compare timelines to identify trends, progress, and areas for improvement over time.

Follow the source link to the GitHub repo, open the template preview link and click ‘Use Template’ to get started.

Source: GitHub – zmandel/timeline-jira-google-sheets: Create awesome Jira timelines for multiple projects in Google sheets

Solutions, Sheets, Intermediate

Google Apps Script workflow solution for simplifying date tracking in Google Sheets

Tags:
| | 0 Comments |


Template for a workflow to track tasks that follow steps. It can alert on due and expired steps per each task, while also navigating to alerted cells with a single click. It also demonstrates the use of conditional rules and ARRAYFORMULA.

Sig Mandel has created this clever Google Apps Script solution which might be suitable for anyone struggling to manage tasks and deadlines in Google Sheets. This template lets you easily configure overdue and upcoming deadlines, letting you jump directly to problem areas with a click. It also cleverly uses conditional formatting and ARRAYFORMULA to streamline your task tracking.

You can use the provided Google Sheets template as a starting point and add your workflow steps as columns, input your tasks, and the sheet takes care of the rest. You can also use a number of other features including real-time “toast” messages, a  dynamic installation menu for easy setup, and optimized code for smooth performance.

You can find the template and instructions in the source link or join in the conversation on LinkedIn.

Source: GitHub – zmandel/workflow-apps-script