Google Apps Script – Difference Between Add-On and Web App

google-apps-scriptgoogle-apps-script-add-on

The issue is mainly that I don't understand what is meant by the web app. I understood that it must support HTTP requests, but otherwise is it the same? Or is the difference in publishing?

I looked on documentation:
https://developers.google.com/apps-script/guides/web. But I still do not understand the difference.

First, I thought that web app has its own UI and it mustn't be connected with the G Suite environment, but the documentation says:

Both standalone scripts and scripts bound to G Suite applications can
be turned into web apps…

My thought wouldn't make sense for a bound script. Or would it?
What is the difference?

Best Answer

A Google Apps Script web app will have it's own URL to be used to make HTTP GET/POST requests.

A G Suite Add-on adds a menu to a G Suite app (Google Docs, Google Forms, Google Sheets, Google Slides)

A Google Apps Script project could be bounded or standalone and could be used to post a G Suite add-on, a web app or both.

addMenu

This is a method of Spreadsheet class, i.e., it only applies to spreadsheets. All it does is add a new menu item with second-level submenus. On the upside, the syntax is very simple.

getUi

This method is currently available for three apps: SpreadsheetApp, DocumentApp, and FormApp. It returns an instance of user interface which can be used for more than just adding a menu item. One can show alerts, prompts, dialogs, and even add an interactive sidebar with custom content. Also, the menu creating options are richer: they allow separators and nested submenus. There are special add-on menus, too. Accordingly, the syntax is more verbose.

Conclusion

Neither of two methods is deprecated; use whichever fits your goal better.

Google Apps Script – Identify User

I searched for this earlier and figured out that it depends if you have private accounts or part of the same company. For private accounts it's not possible, at least it was not when I researched. My solution was to have each person fill out his/her name.

I copy my code here, you have to change the name of the sheet, row number etc

function onEdit(e) { 
 if (e.source.getActiveSheet().getName() !== 'adresseliste') return;
 if (e.range.columnStart < 1 || e.range.rowStart < 2) return;
 e.source.getActiveSheet().getRange(e.range.rowStart, 37)
        .setValue(Utilities.formatDate(new Date(), "GMT+2", "dd.MM.yyyy HH:mm"));
 var navn = Browser.inputBox('Hvem er du?');
 e.source.getActiveSheet().getRange(e.range.rowStart, 38)
    .setValue(navn);
 var why = Browser.inputBox('Hvorfor endret du?');  
 e.source.getActiveSheet().getRange(e.range.rowStart, 39)
    .setValue(why);
 }

Best Answer

Related Solutions

Google-sheets – the difference between creating a menu with .getUI().createMenu() and .addMenu()

addMenu

getUi

Conclusion

Google Apps Script – Identify User

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