Add-ons are customized applications that integrate with Google Workspace productivity applications such as Gmail, Google Sheets, and Google Docs.
Add-ons are built using Apps Script, a rapid application development platform based on JavaScript that lets you create business and productivity applications quickly and easily.
Add new capabilities to Google Workspace
Add-ons can help automate tasks or make third-party services or information available in Google Workspace. With add-ons, you can do the following:
- Create customized user interfaces that are directly integrated into Google Workspace applications. These interfaces can display information to the user and provide user controls.
- Boost workflow efficiency when working with Google Workspace by automating or streamlining tasks.
- Easily control and move data between Google applications with Apps Script services.
- Remove the need for browser switching by providing the user everything they need within Google Workspace.
- Connect to non-Google services within Google Workspace applications, allowing you to retrieve or upload data from those services into and from Google Workspace.
Types of add-ons
There are two types of add-ons you can build: Google Workspace Add-ons and Editor Add-ons. For more information about each, see Add-on types.
The add-on development lifecycle
Add-ons go through different stages as they are developed, tested, and published:
- Building. To create an add-on, you must create an Apps Script project and write code that defines the add-on's appearence and behavior. Depending on the problems the add-on is attempting to solve, you might need to write code that interacts with one or more of the Apps Script services or else use various Apps Script features such as triggers.
- Testing. In order to provide the best experience for your users, you must thoroughly test your add-on prior to publishing it. You can install and test unpublished add-ons provided you have access to the add-on's script project. When testing your add-on, make sure the add-on UI appearance and behavior is what you intended. Try to anticipate how users interact with your add-on and provide a solid user experience.
- Publishing. When your add-on is finished you can publish it to the Google Workspace Marketplace for others to find and use. You can publish an app publicly for everyone to find, or publish only to your domain.
- Updating. After an add-on is published, at times you might want to update its code or how it appears in the Google Workspace Marketplace. You might also want to unpublish an add-on if it's no longer useful.
Get started
Here are some ways to start developing your add-on:
- Review the add-on development guides.
- Try a quickstart. In just a few minutes, you can create one of these simple add-ons: