AI-Assisted Google Apps Script Development (Alternatives Beyond Smartsheet)

Important note: This training may use AI tools that are not approved for use with Stanford data. Participants should refrain from entering Stanford data into unapproved tools.

Code	Date	Delivery	Cost
ITS-0293	Thu Apr 23, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm	Live Online : 1 session	$300

Before each live online session, Tech Training will provide a Zoom link for live online classes, along with any required class materials.

Google Sheets can do more than store data – it can send emails, move rows automatically, and run scheduled tasks in the background. In this hands-on workshop, participants explore how to use AI tools available in the Stanford AI Playground, or other AI models like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Claude, to write Google Apps Scripts, with no coding experience required.

Don Cameron

Don is the Instructional Design lead in Technology Training and has been at Stanford since 1998. He teaches collaboration and communication classes, as well as courses on Smartsheet, Artificial Intelligence, Google Apps, and survey design. Learn more about Don Cameron

Program Description

Working with real automation scenarios in Google Workspace, participants practice prompting AI to generate functional scripts, reading and interpreting the output, and customizing scripts to match their own data. The session also covers how to set up automated triggers, safely test scripts, and work through errors with AI as a troubleshooting partner.

Learning Objectives

You will have the opportunity to:

Explore what Google Apps Script is and how it connects to Google Workspace applications
Practice writing AI prompts that generate functional automation scripts from plain-language descriptions
Work with the Apps Script editor to paste, run, and test scripts in Google Sheets
Customize AI-generated code to match their own spreadsheet structure and data
Experiment with time-based and event-driven triggers for automating recurring workflows
Apply a repeatable troubleshooting process for diagnosing and resolving script errors with AI assistance

Topic Outline

Introduction to Google Apps Script and the Apps Script editor
Connecting scripts to Google Sheets and email
The four elements of an effective AI prompt
Reading and interpreting AI-generated code
Customizing column indices and sheet references
Time-based and event-driven triggers
Testing scripts with sample data
Using AI to explain and debug error messages
Prompting strategies for modifying and extending existing scripts

Credits

3 Professional Development Units (PDU)
0.3 Continuing Education Units (CEU
3 Professional Development Hours (PDH)
Stanford Technology Training Program Certificate of Completion Awarded

Custom training workshops are available for this program

Technology training sessions structured around individual or group learning objectives. Learn more about custom training

Special Group Rates

For groups of 5 or more within the same team or department, special rates are available. Please contact techtraining@stanford.edu for more details.

University IT Technology Training sessions are available to a wide range of participants, including Stanford University staff, faculty, students, and employees of Stanford Hospitals & Clinics, such as Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, Stanford Medicine Partners, and Stanford Medicine Children's Health.

Additionally, some of these programs are open to interested individuals not affiliated with Stanford, allowing for broader community engagement and learning opportunities.