Apps Script Setup Guide

A complete step-by-step walkthrough that takes your purchased Google Sheet + Apps Script code from a link in your inbox to a live, working tool — usually in under 10 minutes.

~5–10 min Beginner friendly Runs entirely in your Google account
1Copy SheetDuplicate to your Drive
2Open ScriptExtensions → Apps Script
3DeployPublish as Web App
4AuthorizeAllow & done
Watch This First (4 Minutes)

Screen-recorded walk-through of the exact flow below. Most buyers finish just by following along with the video — the written guide is here as a backup.

Tip Keep this page open in one tab and the video running in another. Pause whenever the on-screen action changes — the written steps pick up from the exact point the video covers.

Part 1 — Copy the Google Sheet into your Drive

The file you purchased is a template stored in our Google Drive. To use it, you must first make your own copy — this becomes your sheet that you fully own and can edit freely. You are not modifying the original.

1 Open the Google Sheet link

Click the Google Sheet link included with your purchase (email / WhatsApp / dashboard). It opens in a new tab in read-only preview mode — that's expected, you'll make it editable in the next step.

Must be signed in to Google If the page asks you to sign in, use the Google account you want to own the final copy. The account you open the link with is the account that will hold the copy.
2 Make a copy into your Drive

This is the critical step — it clones the entire Sheet, including the embedded Apps Script code, into your account:

  • Top-left menu → File
  • Click Make a copy
  • A dialog appears — you can:
    • Rename the sheet (e.g. strip the "Copy of" prefix)
    • Pick a destination folder in your Drive (optional)
    • Leave "Share it with the same people" unchecked unless you really mean it
  • Click the blue Make a copy button to confirm
Do not use File → Download Downloading saves an .xlsx file to your computer, which loses the Apps Script entirely. Only Make a copy preserves the code that makes the tool work.
3 Verify the copy worked

After a second or two, the copied sheet opens automatically in a new tab. Quick checks:

  • The title shows "Copy of …" (unless you renamed it) — you can rename any time from the title bar
  • The top-right avatar shows your Google account, not ours
  • You can click into any cell and type — no read-only banner at the top
  • Open drive.google.com — the sheet appears in Recent
Ownership confirmed The Sheet is now yours. From here on, any edits stay in your account — nothing is shared back to us.

Part 2 — Open & configure the Apps Script

The Apps Script is the engine behind the sheet — JavaScript code that runs in Google's servers, reads/writes cells, talks to Drive, sends emails, etc. It came with your copy automatically; you are simply opening the editor to review, adjust, and deploy it.

1 Open the Apps Script editor

From inside your copied Sheet:

  • Top menu → Extensions
  • Click Apps Script
  • A new tab opens with the editor — the code that powers your tool is already there in files named Code.gs, index.html, etc.
No coding knowledge required You do not need to understand or change the code to use the tool. Most buyers never touch it — you just open the editor so you can deploy it (Part 3).
2 Configure Sheet / Folder IDs (only if your code shows these variables)
Our latest projects don't need this setting All scripts released after early 2026 auto-detect the active Sheet and Drive folder — so you can skip this step entirely unless you see SHEET_ID or FOLDER_ID constants at the top of Code.gs. If you don't see them, jump straight to step 3 below.

If you do see a block like this near the top of the script, you'll need to fill in the IDs:

// Configuration — update these IDs
const SHEET_ID  = 'your-sheet-id-here';
const FOLDER_ID = 'your-folder-id-here';

Finding your Sheet ID

  • Open your copied Google Sheet in the browser
  • Look at the URL in the address bar — it looks like:
  • https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AbC…xyZ/edit
  • The Sheet ID is the long string between /d/ and /edit
  • Select it, copy it (Ctrl/Cmd+C), paste it between the quotes for SHEET_ID

Finding your Folder ID

  • Open the Google Drive folder you want the script to read/write from
  • Look at the URL in the address bar — it looks like:
  • https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XyZ…aBc
  • The Folder ID is the string after /folders/
  • Paste it between the quotes for FOLDER_ID
Keep the quotes The ID must sit inside the single quotes. If you accidentally delete the quotes, the script will throw a syntax error the moment you try to save.
3 Save your changes

Once the code looks right (or if you didn't need to change anything):

  • Click the Save project icon in the toolbar, or press Ctrl/Cmd+S
  • Wait for the "Project saved." toast in the bottom-left
Always save before deploying Un-saved edits won't be included in the deployment — Apps Script deploys from the last saved version of each file.

Part 3 — Deploy as a Web App

Most of our tools are served as a Web App — a URL you can open in any browser, share with teammates, or bookmark on mobile. Deployment is what turns your script into that URL.

1 Start a new deployment
  • Top-right of the Apps Script editor → Deploy button
  • Pick New deployment
  • On the left side of the dialog, click the gear icon next to "Select type"
  • Choose Web app
2 Configure deployment settings

You'll see three fields — set them as follows:

  • Description — anything readable; e.g. "Initial deployment". This shows up in the deployment list later.
  • Execute asMe (your email)
    This means the script runs with your permissions whenever someone opens it. Required so it can reach your Sheet and Drive.
  • Who has access — choose based on how you'll use it:
    • Only myself — private; only you can open the URL. Best for personal dashboards.
    • Anyone with Google account — any signed-in Google user can use it (they authenticate). Good for internal tools.
    • Anyone — truly public, no login required. Use for public-facing tools like calculators or landing pages.
Access setting matters Do not pick Anyone if your tool reads sensitive data from your Sheet — because the script runs as you, anyone opening the URL can indirectly read or write rows they should not. When in doubt, start with Only myself; you can always widen access later.
3 Authorize & copy the URL

Click the blue Deploy button.

  • Google prompts for permissions — click Authorize access
  • Pick your Google account
  • You may see a "Google hasn't verified this app" screen — this is normal for personal scripts. Click AdvancedGo to [project name] (unsafe) — it is safe because you are the author
  • Review the permissions it needs (Sheets, Drive, etc.) → click Allow
  • You'll see two URLs:
    • Web app URL — this is what you share / bookmark
    • Deployment ID — rarely needed; ignore unless instructed
  • Click Copy on the Web app URL and paste it somewhere safe
Deployment complete Open the Web app URL in any browser. Your tool should load. Bookmark it, pin it to your home screen, or share it with your team.

Part 4 — Manage & update your deployment

When you change the code (fix a bug, tweak a label, paste new code we send you), the existing Web app URL doesn't update automatically — Apps Script keeps serving the last deployed version until you publish a new one. Here's how:

1 Open your deployments
  • Apps Script editor → DeployManage deployments
  • You'll see a list of every deployment with its URL and timestamp
2 Publish a new version to the same URL

To keep the same URL and just push updated code:

  • Save your code changes first (Ctrl/Cmd+S)
  • Back in Manage deployments, find your existing deployment
  • Click the Edit icon
  • In the Version dropdown, pick New version
  • Add a short description (e.g. "fix filter bug")
  • Click Deploy
URL stays the same Updating an existing deployment reuses its URL — anyone who bookmarked it gets the new version automatically on next load. Don't create a fresh New deployment for updates; you'll end up with two URLs and the old one stays frozen.

Get your OpenAI API Key (ChatGPT models)

Some tools include AI features (chat, summaries, auto-writing) powered by OpenAI. Those need your own API key — a private, password-like code that lets the tool talk to OpenAI from your account. You pay OpenAI directly for what you use (usually a few cents); we never see or store your key.

1 Create / sign in to your OpenAI account
  • Open platform.openai.com — this is the developer site (NOT chatgpt.com)
  • Click Sign up (or Log in) — signing in with Google works fine
  • Verify your email and phone number if asked
2 Add billing credit (required)
  • Top-right gear icon → SettingsBilling
  • Click Add payment details and add a card
  • Buy at least $5 credit — pay-as-you-go, NO subscription needed
#1 most common problem A key with zero billing credit looks valid but every request fails with Error 429 — insufficient_quota. A ChatGPT Plus subscription does NOT count — API credit is bought separately on the Billing page.
3 Create the secret key
  • Left sidebar → API keys (direct link: platform.openai.com/api-keys)
  • Click + Create new secret key
  • Name it anything (e.g. "Rameez tool") → Create secret key
  • Click Copy — the key starts with sk-
Shown only ONCE OpenAI never shows this key again after you close the dialog. Copy it immediately and keep it somewhere safe. Lost it? Just create a new key and delete the old one — takes 10 seconds.
4 Paste it into your tool
  • Paste wherever your purchased tool asks — usually the tool's Admin Settings → API Key field, or a CONFIG line at the top of Code.gs:
// paste your key between the quotes
const OPENAI_API_KEY = 'sk-your-key-here';
Treat it like a password Anyone holding your key can spend YOUR credit. Never share it in screenshots, WhatsApp groups, or public sheets. If it ever leaks, delete it on the API keys page and create a fresh one.
What does it cost? Most tools use gpt-4o-mini — normal daily use costs only a few cents, so $5 usually lasts months. Track your spend anytime under Settings → Usage.

Get your Google Gemini API Key (free)

Gemini is Google's AI. Its API has a generous free tier — for most of our tools you pay nothing at all. All you need is a normal Google account; no card required.

1 Open Google AI Studio
2 Create the API key
  • Click the blue Create API key button
  • If asked for a project, choose Create API key in new project — no setup needed
  • The key appears in a popup after a few seconds
3 Copy the key
  • Click Copy — the key starts with AIza
  • Unlike OpenAI, you can re-view this key later on the same page — but still treat it as private
Free tier is enough The free tier covers normal use of our tools with no card on file. If you ever hit the daily free limit, requests simply pause until the next day — nothing is charged.
4 Paste it into your tool
  • Same as OpenAI — the tool's Admin Settings → API Key field, or the CONFIG line at the top of Code.gs:
// paste your key between the quotes
const GEMINI_API_KEY = 'AIza-your-key-here';
"API key not valid" error? Almost always a copy-paste problem — an extra space before or after the key, or a missing character. Delete what you pasted, re-copy from AI Studio, and paste again carefully between the quotes.

Troubleshooting — Common Issues

! "This app isn't verified" warning

What's happening: Google shows this warning for any script that hasn't gone through their (paid, week-long) formal verification. It has nothing to do with the script being unsafe — it is the default for every personal Apps Script.

How to proceed:

  • Click Advanced at the bottom-left of the warning
  • Click Go to [your project name] (unsafe)
  • It is safe because you are the author — you are authorizing your own code to run in your own account
! The Web App opens but shows an error

Try in order:

  • Double-check SHEET_ID / FOLDER_ID values if your script uses them (Part 2, step 2) — a single missing character breaks them
  • Confirm you saved the code (Ctrl+S) before deploying
  • Publish a new version — a stale deployment can keep serving old broken code
  • Open Executions in the left sidebar of the Apps Script editor — the failed run will be there with a specific error line you can screenshot and send us
! "You need permission" / Permission denied
  • Confirm you're working in the copied Sheet, not the original preview link — the original is read-only forever
  • If the script reaches into a Drive folder, make sure that folder belongs to the same Google account you're logged in as
  • Re-authorize: DeployManage deployments → edit → Deploy again and re-allow permissions
! Cannot find the "Apps Script" menu
  • Make sure you're in Google Sheets, not Excel Online or the Sheets mobile app (Apps Script editor is desktop browser only)
  • Path is Extensions → Apps Script; on older accounts it may say Tools → Script editor
  • If the menu item is grayed out, your Google Workspace admin may have disabled Apps Script — try a personal Gmail account instead
? Where exactly do I paste an API key?
  • First choice: the tool's own Admin Settings → API Key page (if your tool has an admin panel)
  • Otherwise: the CONFIG block at the top of Code.gs — look for a line like const OPENAI_API_KEY = '...' or const GEMINI_API_KEY = '...' and paste between the quotes
  • After pasting in Code.gs: Save (Ctrl+S)Deploy → Manage deployments → Edit → New version → Deploy
! OpenAI: "Error 429 — insufficient_quota"
  • Your key has no billing credit — this is the #1 OpenAI issue
  • Go to platform.openai.com → Settings → Billing and buy at least $5 credit
  • Remember: a ChatGPT Plus subscription does NOT include API credit — they are separate purchases
? Which Google account should I use?
  • Use ONE account for everything — the account that opens the Sheet link, makes the copy, opens Apps Script, and deploys must all be the same
  • Mixing a personal Gmail and a work account is the most common cause of "You need permission" errors
  • That account becomes the owner of the tool — pick the one you want to keep it under long-term
? Is my data shared with Rameez Scripts?
  • No. After Make a copy, the Sheet, the code, and every row of data live only in your Google account
  • Nothing syncs back to us — we cannot see your copy, your data, or your API keys
? Can I use the tool on my phone?
  • Using the tool: yes — open the Web app URL in any mobile browser; our tools are mobile-optimized. Add it to your home screen for an app-like feel
  • Setting it up: no — the copy + deploy steps need a desktop browser (the Apps Script editor does not work in mobile apps)

Need Help? Contact Us

We reply on WhatsApp within 24–48 hours Before messaging, screenshot the error (or the Executions page from the Apps Script editor) — it saves a round-trip and we can usually diagnose in one reply.

Most blockers are one of these:

  • Not signed into Google (or signed into the wrong account)
  • Used Download instead of Make a copy
  • Skipped the Save step before deploying
  • Typo in SHEET_ID or FOLDER_ID (trailing space, missing char)