Google Sheets

Google Sheets authoring

Two coordinate systems, on purpose

• VALUE tools (read_range, write_range, append_rows, clear_range) address a TAB TITLE plus A1 cells: {sheet: "Data", cells: "A1:B4"}.
• STRUCTURE/FORMAT tools (format_cells, set_borders, merge_cells, add_chart, add_conditional_formatting, insert_rows_or_columns, delete_rows_or_columns, freeze_rows_or_columns, sort_range, set_data_validation, set_basic_filter, add_banding, set_column_width, rename_sheet_tab, delete_sheet_tab) address the numeric sheetId.

get_spreadsheet returns both (each tab's title AND sheetId) with no cell data - call it first and keep the mapping. A new tab's sheetId is in add_sheet_tab's reply (replies[0].addSheet.properties.sheetId).

Sequencing a styled sheet: values first, then format, chart last

1. create_spreadsheet (optionally with named tabs; it cannot target a folder - move it after with google-drive google_drive_move_or_rename).
2. write_range the data with parseInput: true when values include numbers, dates, or formulas (default false stores everything as literal text - a top source of "chart is empty" bugs).
3. Format like a real dashboard, not a bare grid:
   • format_cells bold header with a fill color and white text; number patterns on value columns ($#,##0, 0.0%).
   • freeze_rows_or_columns the header row.
   • set_basic_filter over the table range - filter dropdowns are what make it read as a data table.
   • set_borders (outer heavier than inner) or add_banding for alternating row colors; set_column_width so nothing clips.
   • add_conditional_formatting for thresholds worth seeing at a glance.
4. add_chart LAST, after the data exists.

Charts

• In add_chart, the FIRST range is the domain (x axis / pie labels) and later ranges are the series, one column each; anchoring a chart to the wrong or reversed ranges is the most common chart bug. All ranges live on the same tab as the chart. headerCount: 1 uses the first cells as series labels - include the header row in each range when you set it.
• Place the chart over empty cells beside or below the table, not on top of the data it plots.
• A wrong chart is fixed in place, not worked around: get_spreadsheet lists every tab's charts (chartId, title), update_chart replaces a chart's spec keeping its position, delete_chart removes one. Never add a second chart to paper over a bad first one.

Named and protected ranges

• add_named_range makes formulas self-documenting (=SUM(Budget) instead of =SUM(B2:B13)); write the formula with parseInput: true. Names cannot look like cell references.
• protect_range guards headers and formula cells (warningOnly: true by default warns editors; false locks them). Protect AFTER the last write to that range, or your own writes fight the protection.
• get_spreadsheet lists both, with the ids delete_named_range and unprotect_range need.

Pitfalls

• No revision guard anywhere: last write wins. Read before writing when a collaborator may be editing.
• merge_cells keeps only the top-left value; write the text after merging.
• sort_range rewrites cell positions; sort before adding formulas that reference the range, and exclude the header row from the sorted range.
• insert_rows_or_columns / delete_rows_or_columns positions are 1-based (A=1); deletes are immediate and not undoable through the API.
• find_replace_sheet is literal (never regex here) and can search inside formulas with searchFormulas: true.
• Whole-tab reads can blow the byte cap; bound cells (e.g. "1:2000") on tabs you have not sized and follow nextCells when truncated.

Verify your work

read_range for values (FORMATTED_VALUE shows what the user sees; UNFORMATTED_VALUE the raw numbers - use it to confirm numbers are numbers, not text). get_spreadsheet for structure: tabs, charts, named ranges, protections. google-drive google_drive_export_file (pdf renders every tab including charts and formatting) when the visual result matters.