7 Google Apps Script Books That Accelerate Your Automation Skills
Discover 7 Google Apps Script Books by leading authors Barrie Roberts, Bruce Mcpherson, Laurence Lars Svekis, and more—trusted guides to mastering scripting.
What if you could automate tedious tasks across your Google Workspace without years of coding experience? Google Apps Script offers a gateway to do just that, empowering users to streamline workflows, manage data, and integrate apps effortlessly. As businesses and individuals increasingly rely on Google’s ecosystem, mastering this scripting environment is more relevant than ever.
The selected books in this list are crafted by authors with deep experience in both teaching and applying Google Apps Script. From Barrie Roberts’ accessible step-by-step guides to Bruce Mcpherson’s veteran insights bridging VBA and Apps Script, these works provide practical and authoritative approaches. Laurence Lars Svekis and Anddy Stanley add fresh perspectives with hands-on exercises and productivity-driven automation.
While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific background, skill level, and goals might consider creating a personalized Google Apps Script book that builds on these insights. Tailored content can accelerate your learning by focusing on your unique needs and projects.
by Barrie Roberts··You?
by Barrie Roberts··You?
Barrie Roberts draws on nearly two decades of teaching experience to craft a guide that makes Google Apps Script approachable for newcomers. The book takes you through building scripts step-by-step, starting with foundational concepts like variables and loops before moving into practical applications with Google Sheets and Forms. You’ll learn to automate repetitive tasks, create dynamic forms, and analyze responses effectively, even if coding is new to you. This guide suits professionals aiming to boost productivity without prior programming background, offering concrete examples such as automating spreadsheet functions and enhancing form user experience.
by Bruce Mcpherson··You?
by Bruce Mcpherson··You?
What if everything you knew about transitioning from VBA to Google Apps Script was challenged? Bruce Mcpherson, with over three decades in IT leadership roles at Motorola and Lucent, guides you through adapting your VBA skills to Google’s JavaScript-based environment. You’ll find detailed chapters on porting VBA code to Apps Script, automating Gmail, Calendar, and Docs, and even interacting with REST services and NoSQL databases. This book is tailored for developers comfortable with VBA or .NET who want to migrate their expertise seamlessly to Google’s ecosystem without starting from scratch.
by TailoredRead AI·
This personalized book explores Google Apps Script in a way that matches your background and objectives, offering a tailored path through its powerful scripting environment. It covers foundational concepts such as scripting syntax and automation principles, then progressively dives into applying these skills to real-world tasks like managing Google Sheets, Docs, and integrating APIs. By focusing on your specific interests and goals, it reveals how to efficiently automate workflows, manipulate data, and customize Google Workspace tools for your needs. Through this tailored approach, you gain a focused understanding that bridges expert knowledge with your unique learning journey, empowering you to master Google Apps Script effectively and confidently.
by Barrie Roberts··You?
by Barrie Roberts··You?
Barrie Roberts, a seasoned educator since 2006, channels his extensive teaching experience into guiding you through practical Google Apps Script projects that build real skills. This book takes you beyond basics into hands-on applications like automating book inventories, streamlining employee onboarding, and creating personalized certificates, with each project clearly explained and supported by accessible code. You'll navigate eight distinct challenges involving Google Sheets, Drive, Forms, and Docs, gaining confidence in integrating these tools efficiently. If you’re ready to move from theory to practice and want structured projects that mirror workplace tasks, this book offers a focused path to deepen your scripting expertise.
by Anddy Stanley··You?
The breakthrough moment came when Anddy Stanley set out to demystify the full spectrum of Google Workspace tools for everyday users. You’ll learn not only the basics of Docs, Sheets, and Slides but also how to secure your data against cyber threats and automate workflows using Google Apps Script. The book dives deep into integrating third-party apps and optimizing cloud search, making it especially useful if you want to boost productivity in a business environment. If you're looking for a detailed but accessible guide that goes beyond surface-level tips, this book offers concrete examples and illustrations tailored for professionals and job seekers alike.
by Laurence Lars Svekis··You?
by Laurence Lars Svekis··You?
Laurence Lars Svekis, a Google Developer Expert and seasoned online instructor, brings you a hands-on gateway into Google Apps Script through 120 carefully structured exercises. This book is not just about syntax; it guides you from basic script creation within Google Sheets to integrating APIs and automating workflows across Google services like Drive and Gmail. You’ll gain concrete skills in data manipulation, dynamic reporting, and real-time automation, with practical examples such as generating interactive dashboards and managing emails programmatically. If you want to move beyond theory and start applying Google Apps Script effectively, this book offers a clear, progressive path for learners at any stage.
by TailoredRead AI·
by TailoredRead AI·
This tailored book offers an immersive journey into task automation using Google Apps Script, crafted specifically to match your background and goals. It explores actionable, step-by-step techniques to help you automate repetitive tasks within 30 days, focusing on practical scripting tailored to your unique needs. By concentrating on your specific interests and desired outcomes, it guides you through creating custom scripts that enhance workflow efficiency and reduce manual effort. Combining core concepts with personalized scripting pathways, this book reveals how to harness Google Apps Script’s capabilities effectively. It uncovers automation opportunities aligned with your skill level, enabling you to build confidence and achieve rapid, meaningful results in your daily digital tasks.
by Barrie Roberts··You?
by Barrie Roberts··You?
Drawing from nearly two decades of teaching experience, Barrie Roberts crafted this guide to help you harness Google Apps Script specifically for document management. You learn to automate Google Docs creation, modify templates with placeholders, and even generate multi-item invoices and dynamic student reports with progress bars. The book advances from simple form-to-doc workflows to integrating real-time web data, making it ideal if you already know basic JavaScript and want to deepen your scripting skills with practical document examples. Chapters like "Crafting Student Reports" and "Distributing Conference Details" showcase how Apps Script can streamline communication and reporting tasks.
by Daniel Lawrie·You?
by Daniel Lawrie·You?
What makes this book different from others is its clear focus on equipping you with foundational skills to automate tasks across Google products using Google Apps Script. Daniel Lawrie breaks down scripting concepts into manageable lessons, showing exactly how to manipulate data in Google Sheets, send emails automatically, and generate custom reports. You’ll find practical insights on integrating scripts with Google Docs and external APIs, making it a solid starting point if you want hands-on experience rather than abstract theory. This guide suits anyone new to coding who wants to boost productivity by automating repetitive tasks within Google’s ecosystem.
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Conclusion
Across these seven books, a few themes emerge: foundational scripting skills, project-driven learning, and practical automation for real-world tasks. Beginners will find solid introductions in Barrie Roberts’ and Daniel Lawrie’s guides, while those with prior programming experience benefit from Bruce Mcpherson’s transition strategies.
If you’re eager to apply Google Apps Script in business contexts, "THE GOOGLE WORKSPACE" offers a broad productivity boost. For those who learn best by doing, Laurence Lars Svekis’ exercise-driven "Playground" and the project-centric approach from Barrie Roberts provide engaging paths. Meanwhile, document automation enthusiasts will appreciate the focused insights in the step-by-step guide to Docs.
For faster, more precise learning tailored to your experience level and goals, you can create a personalized Google Apps Script book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books collectively can help you accelerate your journey to mastering Google Apps Script.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
If you’re new to Google Apps Script, start with "Beginner's Guide to Google Apps Script 1 & 2" by Barrie Roberts. It introduces key concepts with clear examples, helping you build confidence before moving to more advanced topics.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to Google Apps Script?
Not at all. Several books, like Daniel Lawrie’s "A Complete Beginner's Guide to Google Apps Script," cater specifically to newcomers, breaking down scripting fundamentals into manageable lessons.
What's the best order to read these books?
Begin with foundational guides by Roberts or Lawrie, then explore project-focused books like "Google Apps Script Projects." For VBA users, "Going GAS" provides a smooth transition. Finish with specialized titles like "THE GOOGLE WORKSPACE" for productivity strategies.
Do these books assume I already have experience in Google Apps Script?
Some do, like "Step-by-step Guide to Google Apps Script 4," which is ideal if you know basic JavaScript. Others, such as "Google Apps Script Playground," welcome all skill levels with interactive exercises.
Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?
"Google Apps Script Projects" by Barrie Roberts offers hands-on projects that directly mirror workplace tasks, letting you apply scripts to solve real problems quickly.
Can I get a Google Apps Script book tailored to my specific needs?
Yes! While these books cover broad topics well, personalized books can focus on your experience level and goals, blending expert knowledge with your unique challenges. You can create a personalized Google Apps Script book to get tailored insights efficiently.
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