Google Sheets

---
name: google-sheets
description: Build and edit Google Sheets with the google-sheets tools - values, formatting, charts, conditional formatting, structure, validation, named and protected ranges. Use when creating a spreadsheet or dashboard, formatting cells, adding or fixing charts, or reorganizing tabs and rows.
---

# 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_rows_or_columns`,
  `delete_rows_or_columns`, `freeze_rows_or_columns`, `sort_range`,
  `set_data_validation`, `set_basic_filter`, `add_banding`,
  `set_column_width`, `rename_sheet_tab`, `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: values first, then format, chart last

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.

## Charts

- In `add_chart`, the FIRST range is the domain (x axis / pie labels) and
  later ranges are the series, one column each; anchoring a chart to the
  wrong or reversed ranges is the most common chart bug. All ranges live on
  the same tab as the chart. `headerCount: 1` uses the first cells as
  series labels - include the header row in each range when you set it.
- Place the chart over empty cells beside or below the table, not on top of
  the data it plots.
- A wrong chart is fixed in place, not worked around: `get_spreadsheet`
  lists every tab's charts (chartId, title), `update_chart` replaces a
  chart's spec keeping its position, `delete_chart` removes one. Never add
  a second chart to paper over a bad first one.

## Named and protected ranges

- `add_named_range` makes formulas self-documenting (`=SUM(Budget)` instead
  of `=SUM(B2:B13)`); write the formula with `parseInput: true`. Names
  cannot look like cell references.
- `protect_range` guards headers and formula cells (`warningOnly: true` by
  default warns editors; `false` locks them). Protect AFTER the last write
  to that range, or your own writes fight the protection.
- `get_spreadsheet` lists both, with the ids `delete_named_range` and
  `unprotect_range` need.

## 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_rows_or_columns` / `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.

## Verify your work

`read_range` for values (FORMATTED_VALUE shows what the user sees;
UNFORMATTED_VALUE the raw numbers - use it to confirm numbers are numbers,
not text). `get_spreadsheet` for structure: tabs, charts, named ranges,
protections. google-drive `google_drive_export_file` (pdf renders every tab
including charts and formatting) when the visual result matters.