Publish an add-on privately

10
votes

I am trying to publish a test add-on with the option Private, because there is nothing new in this add-on, and would not be accepted by Google if I published it with Public.

The add-on contains a sidebar, a custom menu and a custom function. It works well on its Google Sheet.

In Chrome Web Store, I have added 2 gmails to Edit your tester accounts: under Your developer account. I also created a google group with these 2 gmails.

By following this thread, I did Publish ==> Deploy as Sheets web add-on..., then uploaded different icon and images in Chrome Web Store, paid 5 dollars, left most of boxes blank, then published it with the option Private and chose the created google group.

However, when I open a new Google Sheet with either of these two mails, I cannot find the add-on in Add-ons. By Add-ons ==> Get add-ons..., I cannot find the add-on either.

So does anyone know where this add-on is supposed to appear? Is it because this add-on is under review by Google that it is not available yet.

I am quite surprised to see such a basic publishing is not unclear. Is it because few people publish an add-on with Private?

1
google-apps-scriptgoogle-sheetsadd-onchrome-web-storegoogle-apps-script-addon
did you search your add-on under "Get add-ons"? - Ritz
I just searched Get add-ons, the add-on I just published is not there. - SoftTimur
As stated in this related SO post for you have to publish the add-on, and only publish it to a specific google group. This will let you use the add-on as long as you are part of the google group. Hope this helps. - Mr.Rebot
@Mr.Rebot does this add-on need to be approved by Google, if it is just for a google group? - SoftTimur
watch this space, but for now private add-ons seem not to be caught up in the approval process - JSDBroughton

1 Answers

4
votes

In your web store dashboard, you should see the link to the add-on. Get the URL for this link and give the URL to the accounts you have created that should have permission. Those accounts need to install the add-on, and then should be able to use it.

I think you can also list your add-on as unlisted and not be required to go through the entire approval process. This makes it a little easier to share your add-ons with specific users.