Develop Reference

How to make a dynamic source for .getRange() in Apps Script?

Original Question:
I have multiple tabs in a Google Spreadsheet that represent different data sources. Currently, I have a variable (var = quote1location) that is equal to the sheet name that I would like to get my data from based on other logic.
Pretend that quote1location can equal 'Sheet1', 'Sheet2', or 'Sheet3' depending on the logic but for this case, it equals 'Sheet1'.
var totalpeople = quote1location.getRange('A1').getValue();
In the function above, Apps Script will return an error saying 'quote1location.getRange is not a function' because Apps Script is not substituting the value of the variable that I have designated ('Sheet1') but is using the variable name ('quote1location' instead. I would like Apps Script to process this as 'Sheet1.getRange('A1').getValue()'.
Your help would be appreciated
Answer:
Thank you all for your responses. What I was trying to do is use a string in the 'getRange()' function. Pretend I had two Google Sheets named 'Sheet1' and 'Sheet2' and I had a variable that helped me determine what sheet to grab as my data reference. I was trying to set a variable as either (var source = 1) or (var source = 2) so that I could then use this variable in my getRange() function like this: ('Sheet' + source).getRange('A1').getValue();
What I was trying to do here is if var source = 1, then I would get my data from 'Sheet1'. If the var source = 2, then I would get my data from 'Sheet2'.
The issue (as mentioned by those who responded) is that I was trying to use .getRange() on a string, not an object like a specific spreadsheet. Instead of using var source = 2 or var source = 1 I should be using
ss = SpreadSheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet()
if(somevariable = somecondition){
var source = ss.getSheetbyName('Sheet1')
}
if(someothervariable = someothercondition){
var source = ss.getSheetByName('Sheet2')
}
Now when I use getRange()' on 'source', it will be calling the sheet that I have designated rather than trying to retrieve a range from a string which will not work.
Thank you very much to all who provided feedback.

I believe you are looking to do:
const quote1Location = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet()
.getSheetByName(`Sheet1`)
const totalPeople = quote1Location.getRange(`A1`).getValue()
Alternatively:
const spreadsheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet()
const quote1Location = `Sheet1`
const totalPeople = spreadsheet.getSheetByName(quote1Location)
.getRange(`A1`)
.getValue()
Whether these are the exact syntax you're hoping to use or not, I hope this helps you better understand how to accomplish accessing a Sheet.

setFormula by using script in Google Sheets

I have a little knowledge of javascript I just want to know how to make a script that works in these scenario
I just want to set the second-row with D2:F2, or as long as the first row has a value to be a reference in the formula like in cells: D2={franco!F2:F}; E2={justin!F2:F}; F2 ={aeron!F2:F} and so on...
currently I am using the following codes:
function setFormula() {
var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getSheetByName('Sheet1');
var rangeList = ss.getRange('d1:f1').getValue();
var range = ss.getRange('d2:f2');
range.setValue('={'+rangeList+'!F2:F}');
}
hope that someone can help me with this code. Thank you in advance

You want to put the formulas of {franco!F2:F}, {justin!F2:F} and {aeron!F2:F} to the cells "D2", "E2" and "F2", respectively.
In this case, you want to retrieve the values of franco, justin, aeron from the cells "D1:F1".
You want to achieve this using Google Apps Script.
I could understand like above. For this, how about this answer? Please think of this as just one of several possible answers.
Sample script:
function setFormula() {
var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getSheetByName('Sheet1');
var rangeList = ss.getRange('d1:f1').getValues()[0];
var range = ss.getRange('d2:f2');
range.setFormulas([rangeList.map(function(e) {return '={'+e+'!F2:F}'})]);
}
At first, the values of franco, justin, aeron are retrieved. Using these values, each formula is creted in the loop with map
setFormulas uses the 2 dimensional array. Please be careful this.
References:
getRange()
getValues()
setFormulas()
map()

Google Sheets script getValue doesn't get value in UI (latest calculation)

I am writing a simple script that basically reads a value and send it to another sheet upon clicking a button. For testing purpose I wrote:
SpreadsheetApp.flush()
var sheet = localSheet.getSheetByName('Input');
var dateTimeRange = sheet.getRange(2,2);
var dateTimeValue = dateTimeRange.getDisplayValue();
localSheet.toast(readingValue, dataTypeValue)
In my spreadsheet setting, I set:
File->Spreadsheet settings->Calculation->On change and every minute
Cell in range 2,2 has
=now()
So, every minute, the value in cell 2,2 recalculates itself.
But when I run the script, the output value that I see is always the value of the last time I modified the sheet. As long as I don't interact with the sheet, the script is unable to read the new value. I tried adding flush(), doesn't work. Anyone have any idea?
Thank you.

I think that the reason of your issue is that the sheet is not updated. In your case, unfortunately, flush() cannot be used. In order to avoid this issue, how about the following workarounds? Please think of this as just one of several answers.
In your situation, when the sheet is edited, the value retrieving by getDisplayValue() is updated. In this answer, this is used.
Workaround 1:
In this workaround, the cell "B2" is overwritten by =NOW().
Modified script:
var localSheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
var sheet = localSheet.getSheetByName('Input');
var dateTimeRange = sheet.getRange(2, 2);
var dateTimeValue = dateTimeRange.setFormula("=NOW()").getDisplayValue(); // Modified
localSheet.toast(dateTimeValue);
Workaround 2:
In this workaround, an empty cell is cleared. At sample script, the cell "B3" supposes the empty and this cell is not related to the main data. This cell is cleared. By this, let Spreadsheet know the sheet is edited.
Modified script:
var localSheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
var sheet = localSheet.getSheetByName('Input');
var dateTimeRange = sheet.getRange(2, 2);
sheet.getRange("B3").clear(); // Added
var dateTimeValue = dateTimeRange.getDisplayValue();
localSheet.toast(dateTimeValue);
Value of "B2" on the sheet "Input" is updated even if the edited cell is different from the main sheet. So you can also use localSheet.getSheetByName("Sheet1").getRange("A1").clear() instead of sheet.getRange("B3").clear().
Note:
It seems that your script might not be the latest one.
Is localSheet var localSheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet()?
readingValue and dataTypeValue are not declared. In this answer, dateTimeValue is used.
In above workarounds, the value is updated. But the retrieved value shows the value of 4 or 5 seconds faster every time. About this, I couldn't find to do the same value with "B2". I apologize for this situation.
If this was not useful for your situation, I apologize.

Looping through cells in Google Spreadsheet

I've been busy trying to use the build-in javascript in Google Spreadsheet, however, not having worked in either javascript or Google Spreadsheet, i'm having a few difficulties.
My script is supposed to read a number (1-3) in a cell, and from that number parse an image to the cell below (I've been using the setFormula command for this).
So far it's working for 1 cell (B6 as i've choosen right now), but i would like to loop through a column with numbers in every other cell (So that after the script has run, it's number-picture-number-picture etc) - i just can't figure out how.
The code i'm using right now:
function numbtoimage() {
var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
var sheet = ss.getSheets()[0];
var url = 'IMAGE("https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/bpqy8o796casqjl/belt.JPG?dl=0", 2)';
var url2 = 'IMAGE("https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4q8sakhkpot0h65/belt2.JPG?dl=0",2)';
var url3 = 'IMAGE("https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/kvsf4z6z45rcg53/belt3.JPG?dl=0",2)';
var cell = sheet.getRange("B6")
var data = cell.getValue()
if(data==1) {cell.offset(1, 0, 1).setFormula(url);}
else if(data==2) {cell.offset(1, 0, 1).setFormula(url2);}
else if(data==3) {cell.offset(1, 0, 1).setFormula(url3);}
}
I've looked at This similar problem, but have been unable to make it work for my case.
Any help is greatly and truly appreciated!
Nicklas

You need some sort of loop to go through the data. I Would suggest a FOR loop.
Your script is currently written to get one single cell value, rather than all the values.
So it might be an idea to get all values in one go, then check whats in them.
Also from you question, it's not clear where the numbers will be found.
Only in column B?
Here is a quick example (untested), that goes through column B looking for a number and it should insert the link in the cell below based on that number. This code is based on your original example and untested but hopefully it helps.
function numbtoimage() {
var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
var sheet = ss.getSheets()[0];
var url = 'IMAGE("https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/bpqy8o796casqjl/belt.JPG?dl=0", 2)';
var url2 = 'IMAGE("https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/4q8sakhkpot0h65/belt2.JPG?dl=0",2)';
var url3 = 'IMAGE("https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/kvsf4z6z45rcg53/belt3.JPG?dl=0",2)';
var values = sheet.getValues();
for(i=0; i < values.lenth ; i++){
if(values[i][1]==1) {sheet.getRange(i+2, 2).setFormula(url);}
else if(values[i][1]==2) {sheet.getRange(i+2, 2).setFormula(url2);}
else if(values[i][1]==3) {sheet.getRange(i+2, 2).setFormula(url3);}
}
}

Google Spreadsheet Determine lowest number in a row of cells

I'm new to this site for the main purpose that I plan to pursue a career in programming. I've landed my first job at an engineering company who is asking me to set up a system in which they can easily determine the time between a job being filed, and it's completion. We're using spreadsheet docs right now to accomplish certain pieces of this.
I'm looking to create a custom function in Google Docs that will allow me to traverse the array of values in row C and then compare it with a number that the function was called with, compare the number to the number in the array and give me which one is the smaller number. EDIT: The function will be called on another sheet called "parsed data" located in the same project file. It's purpose is to automatically file the order number of a current project (just for the sake of being organized) All the other functions I plan to implement will be based off of this order number being correct.
So far, I've gathered this much (I'm learning this on the fly because I still lack experience, so bear with me.)
{
/**created by Alexander Bickford for use at Double E Company
*sorts through a range of values to determine the lowest next value
*returns lowest determined value of next cell
*/
//List Of To Be Implemented Functions
// sheet.appendRow
function setValue(num)
{
var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet('parsed data');
var ss = ss.getSheets()[0];
var myRange = ss.getRange("C:C").getValues();
newValues = [];
for(i=1;i<=myRange;i++) //Loop to traverse the C range and find the lowest value.
{
if(num<=range[3][i])
{
}
else
num = range[3][i];
}
return num;
}
}
when I call the function in the spreadsheet, I'm getting an error passed that says:
error: ReferenceError: "SPREADSHEET_ID_GOES_HERE" is not defined. (line 8, file "Code")
Google predefines some functions at the top that look like this:
/**
* Retrieves all the rows in the active spreadsheet that contain data and logs the
* values for each row.
* For more information on using the Spreadsheet API, see
* https://developers.google.com/apps-script/service_spreadsheet
function readRows() { <---Line 8 in the file
var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
var rows = sheet.getDataRange();
var numRows = rows.getNumRows();
var values = rows.getValues();
for (var i = 0; i <= numRows - 1; i++) {
var row = values[i];
Logger.log(row);
}
};
* Adds a custom menu to the active spreadsheet, containing a single menu item
* for invoking the readRows() function specified above.
* The onOpen() function, when defined, is automatically invoked whenever the
* spreadsheet is opened.
* For more information on using the Spreadsheet API, see
* https://developers.google.com/apps-script/service_spreadsheet
function onOpen() {
var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
var entries = [{
name : "Read Data",
functionName : "readRows"
}];
sheet.addMenu("Script Center Menu", entries);
};
End Code I don't need */
I assume it has something to do with the earlier lines (I pointed out line 8). Any thoughts?

Below code is working fine for me.
var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
var myRange = ss.getRange("C:C").getValues();
newValues = [];
for(i=1;i<=myRange.length;i++)
{
Logger.log(myRange[i]);
}

Looking at your code, it seems like you have a few problems.
You seem to be mixing up "sheets" with "spreadsheet", and your redundant declaration of "ss" as a variable is bound to cause you some problems.
You seem to be passing in arguments to the incorrect methods. I had this same problem when working with the Google App script earlier. It took a lot of poking around Google's Documentation (which you should really take a look at: https://developers.google.com/apps-script/). You seem to be making the same mistake I did, coding by analogy. looking at Google's sample code and trying to replicate is bound to bump you into some trouble.
Some useful advice:
The most confusing thing to wrap your head around is the structure: spreadsheet>>sheet>>range, you have to explicitely deal with the one's on top before moving to the one's on the bottom.
Remove the 'parsed data' argument from getActiveSpreadsheet(), it should be blank. What you want to use is "getSheetByName("parsed data")" and pass that into a sheet variable.
In your for loop, you also need to use the ".length" method, or use the ".getLastRow()" method with a sheet object to find the last row in your sheet.
Your code might look something like this:
var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
var sheet1 = ss.getSheetByName("parsed data");
var endRowNumber = sheet1.getLastRow();
//insert rest of code