Logging a Range in Google Apps Script

Question

I am new to using Google App Script and I don't understand fully how the "Logger.log" command works.

I'm working with Google App Script as a bound script to a spreadsheet. Below is a snipet of the code I am working on:

function tasks() {
  var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
  var sheet = ss.getSheetByName("Task List");
  sheet.activate();

  var hi = 23;
  Logger.log(hi);
  Logger.log("The range is " + sheet.getRange(1, 1, 10, 1));
}

When I run the code, this is displayed in the logger:

[16-06-02 00:56:12:129 EDT] 23.0
[16-06-02 00:56:12:130 EDT] The range is Range

Why is it displaying "Range" for the sheet.getRange function rather than the array of data.

Also can someone please explain the difference between "getRange" and "getDataRange".

Unknown Unknown · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-02T05:14:20

The Range object is a pointer at a range, like A1:A10. This is different from a set of values in a range, which is an array of entries. To get the values from a range, use the getValues method:

Logger.log("The values are " + sheet.getRange(1, 1, 10, 1).getValues());

To your second question: the documentation is pretty clear on what getDataRange does: it gives you the range that begins with A1 and stretches as far as there is data in the sheet. If you only put some data in B5 and D2, and nowhere else, the DataRange is A1:D5. With getRange you specify which range you want.

Logging a Range in Google Apps Script

2 Answers