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/delete_rows_or_columns`, `freeze_rows_or_columns`, `sort_range`, `set_data_validation`, `set_basic_filter`, `add_banding`, `set_column_width`, `rename/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 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: first range is the domain (x axis / pie labels), later ranges are series; ranges live on the same tab as the chart. headerCount 1 uses first cells as labels. ## 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/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. ## Verifying `read_range` (FORMATTED_VALUE shows what the user sees; UNFORMATTED_VALUE raw numbers) for values, `get_spreadsheet` for structure, and google-drive `google_drive_export_file` (pdf - renders every tab including charts and formatting) when the visual result matters.