Google Apps Document onOpen not working

Question

I am attempting to create a google document that autofills author, document name, date created and date modified as per a Word doc.

I have a script that is functioning when I run in the script editor and when I trigger via an added menu item but will not trigger onOpen.

This is how I am accessing the info:

  var document = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  var body = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument().getBody();
  var bodyText = body.editAsText();
  var docID = document.getId();
  var docName = document.getName();
  var file = DocsList.getFileById(docID);
  var docCreated = file.getDateCreated().toString();
  var docUpdated = file.getLastUpdated().toString();

I then just do some find replace in the document. Nothing seems to run after

var docName = document.getName();

Does the getName() method need to be triggered? I want to avoid users having to click a button to update the document.

Appreciate any assistance.

Mitch

Mogsdad Mogsdad · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-01T16:49:24

You can check the execution transcript of your onOpen() trigger function by opening the Script Editor shortly after opening the document, the selecting "View - Execution Transcript".

In there, you'll find something like this:

[13-08-01 11:53:18:163 EDT] Document.getName() [0 seconds]
[13-08-01 11:53:18:203 EDT] Execution failed: No item with the given ID could be found, or you do not have permission to access it. (line 41, file "Code") [0.052 seconds total runtime]

According to Understanding Triggers, simple triggers are not supposed to allow execution of services that require authentication. That restriction wouldn't seem to apply to Document.getName(), especially after Document.getId() has successfully worked. An issue exists for this, visit Issue 3083 and star it to vote & receive updates.

You'll find similar problems with your DocsList method calls, however they are not covered under the Google Apps Script Security Model, so it's not surprising that they get blocked.

As a work-around, you could have your onOpen() remind the user to set the document variables, until they've done so.

function onOpen(e) {
  DocumentApp.getUi().createMenu('Menu')
      .addItem('Set variables', 'setVars')
      .addToUi();

  var doneFirstRun = ScriptProperties.getProperty('doneFirstRun');
  if (doneFirstRun == null) {
    var ui = DocumentApp.getUi();
    ui.alert( "Set document variables\n\n"
             +"Select Menu - Set variables");
  }
}

function setVars() {
  var ui = DocumentApp.getUi();
  var document = DocumentApp.getActiveDocument();
  var body = document.getBody();
  var bodyText = body.editAsText();
  var docID = document.getId();
  var url = document.getUrl();
  var docName = document.getName();     // Does not work in onOpen
  var editors = document.getEditors();  // Does not work in onOpen
  var viewers = document.getViewers();  // Does not work in onOpen
  var file = DocsList.getFileById(docID);
  var docCreated = file.getDateCreated().toString();
  var docUpdated = file.getLastUpdated().toString();  

  // ... do actual work here

  // Completed setting document variables - disable reminder.
  var doneFirstRun = ScriptProperties.setProperty('doneFirstRun',true);

  ui.alert("Completed");  
}

Google Apps Document onOpen not working

1 Answers