Discover 15 powerful Google Apps Script automations to boost productivity and reduce errors in your Google Workspace. Learn how to create PDFs, send email alerts, back up Drive files, and more with easy step-by-step examples.
Patrick Flanagan
February 10th, 2025
Looking for a simple way to automate repetitive tasks in Google Workspace? Google Apps Script is a powerful (and often underused) tool that enables you to build custom automations using your favorite Google apps—like Google Sheets, Gmail, Drive, and more.
In this post, we’ll explore 15 easy yet effective Google Apps Script automations to help you save time, reduce manual errors, and supercharge your daily workflows. From automatically creating PDF documents to syncing data with external CRMs, these ideas will help you get the most out of Google Apps Script and simplify routine tasks.
Manually creating PDFs from spreadsheet data is time-consuming. With Google Apps Script, you can generate PDFs automatically based on your Google Sheets content. This is particularly useful for invoices, reports, or contracts.
Example Use Case:
When a new row is added to a Google Sheet, generate a PDF invoice and send it to a client.
By setting up Apps Script to monitor changes in a Google Sheet, you can trigger workflows automatically without constant manual oversight.
Example Use Case:
Send an email notification whenever a new entry is added to a project tracking sheet.
For businesses in construction or contracting, generating lien waivers manually can be tedious. Use Apps Script to automatically create, format, and email lien waivers.
Example Use Case:
When a payment is recorded in Google Sheets, generate a lien waiver PDF and email it to the vendor.
Large datasets often contain duplicate entries. Apps Script can identify and remove duplicate rows to keep your data clean.
Example Use Case:
Automatically flag duplicate customer records in a CRM spreadsheet.
Need to pinpoint changes between two similar spreadsheets? Use Apps Script to compare spreadsheets and highlight the discrepancies.
Example Use Case:
Compare last week’s inventory list with the current one to see product quantity changes.
Never miss critical updates by setting up automatic email alerts based on certain conditions in your spreadsheet.
Example Use Case:
Notify a manager when an expense exceeds a predefined budget limit.
Take things a step further by creating a simple web-based interface using HTML and JavaScript. This lets you interact with Google Sheets data without opening the spreadsheet.
Example Use Case:
Provide employees with a web form to submit requests, which then populate a Google Sheet automatically.
Pull in real-time data from external services by making API calls directly from Google Apps Script.
Example Use Case:
Fetch live stock prices or exchange rates daily and update a spreadsheet for financial analysis.
Send data from Google Apps Script to external web services via webhooks, enabling seamless integrations with other platforms.
Example Use Case:
When a new lead is added to Google Sheets, automatically send the data to a CRM like HubSpot or Salesforce.
Combine Google Sheets macros with Apps Script’s time-based triggers to run repetitive tasks on autopilot.
Example Use Case:
Every Monday morning, format and sort a report in a specific way—no manual intervention needed.
Keep your data organized by using Apps Script to sort and format spreadsheets automatically based on predefined rules.
Example Use Case:
Ensure new sales entries are always sorted by date in descending order.
Prevent data loss by automating file backups to a designated Google Drive folder, or even another cloud service.
Example Use Case:
Copy all invoices from a shared folder to a secure backup location every night.
Fill out Google Docs templates automatically with data pulled from Google Sheets.
Example Use Case:
Generate personalized client proposals or contracts with variables like name, company, and project details—no manual editing needed.
Keep your Gmail tidy by scheduling Apps Script to archive or delete emails that match certain criteria or are older than a set timeframe.
Example Use Case:
Delete promotional emails older than 30 days to keep your inbox clutter-free.
For customer support or sales teams, automatically log email replies in a Google Sheet for quick performance tracking.
Example Use Case:
When a support email is replied to, record the response time and details in a tracking spreadsheet.
These 15 Google Apps Script automations scratch the surface of what’s possible. Whether you’re a small business owner or part of a large team, streamlining tedious tasks can save significant time and resources. If you need custom-tailored solutions, we’re here to help!
Schedule a Consultation with Univium to explore how you can unlock more efficiency in your business with Apps Script. Let us handle the busywork while you focus on growth.
Yes, Google Apps Script is free for anyone with a Google account. If you use a paid Google Workspace plan, it’s included there as well.
Basic coding knowledge in JavaScript is helpful, but many templates and examples make it easier to get started. You can also find plenty of tutorials online to guide you.
Popular triggers include time-based triggers (run a script daily or weekly), onEdit triggers (run a script when a cell is edited), and onFormSubmit triggers (run a script when a Google Form is submitted).
Open the Script Editor from your Google Sheet (Extensions > Apps Script), write or paste your script, and then set up triggers under the “Triggers” tab to run your script automatically.
You can connect Apps Script with external services using APIs and webhooks. This makes it easy to integrate with CRMs, project management tools, and more.
If you’re ready to automate repetitive tasks, increase efficiency, and save time, contact Univium for a customized consultation. We’ll help you harness the full power of Google Apps Script so you can focus on what truly matters—growing your business.
Pro Tip: Bookmark this post for future reference and revisit whenever you’re looking to expand or refine your Google Apps Script automations. The possibilities are endless!
Implementing these 15 easy Google Apps Script automations can significantly reduce your workload and enhance collaboration within your team. By taking advantage of Google Apps Script’s features—such as triggers, webhooks, and APIs—you’ll make your daily tasks more efficient and error-free.
Curious about more? Schedule a Consultation with Univium and let us create a tailored automation plan that fits your exact needs.
Discover how SaaS financial solutions real-time financial insights.
Effortlessly Track, Optimize and Automation your Business Processes
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.png)
