Use AppSheet smart chips in Google Docs

Use AppSheet smart chips in your Google Docs as described in the following sections:

• Overview
• Install the AppSheet add-on
• Copy the URL of the app view
• Customize the name of the AppSheet smart chip
• Share the app
• Insert an AppSheet smart chip into a Google Doc
• View and interact with the AppSheet app
• Troubleshoot AppSheet smart chips

See also:

• Summary of features supported for Workspace integration to understand the AppSheet features that can be used with smart chips
• AppSheet smart chips in Docs FAQ for answers to common questions.

Overview

App creators and users can use an AppSheet app’s URL to embed a card-based view of their app in a Google Doc. Google Docs users with access to the app can then see supported app views and trigger actions without ever needing to leave Google Docs. 

In order to convert an app URL to a smart chip, you must first install the AppSheet for Google Docs add-on.

When app users type or paste an AppSheet app URL into a document, Google Docs prompts them to replace the link with a smart chip. The smart chip displays an icon and short title or description of the app's content. When the user hovers over the chip, they see a card interface that previews more information about the app, and can interact with the supported features directly in the Google Doc.

The following illustration shows an AppSheet app being rendered as a smart chip. When the user hovers over the smart chip, it displays the app using the Workspace card framework.

AppSheet policies and access permissions apply when using AppSheet smart chips. See Summary of features supported for Workspace integration.

Get started with AppSheet smart chips in Google Docs by doing the following:

1. Install the AppSheet add-on from Google Workspace Marketplace.
2. Copy the URL of the app view in AppSheet.
3. Customize the name of the AppSheet smart chip.
4. Share the app with Workspace users or domains.
5. Insert an AppSheet smart chip into a Google Doc.

Install the AppSheet for Google Docs add-on

Before you can insert an AppSheet smart chip in a Google Doc, you or your Workspace administrator need to install the AppSheet for Google Docs add-on. 

If you already installed the AppSheet for Google Docs add-on, you don't need to reinstall it; the AppSheet smart chip functionality will be available to you by default.

If you’re unable to install the add-on, contact your administrator. 

To install the AppSheet add-on, perform the following steps:

1. Go to Extensions > Add-ons > Get Add-ons. 
2. Search for AppSheet for Google Docs and click the card when found.
3. Click Install.

For more information, see Use add-ons, Apps Script, and AppSheet.

Copy the URL of the app view

To copy the URL of the AppSheet app view, perform the following steps: 

1. Open the app that you want to insert as a smart chip.
2. Navigate to the app view, right-click the browser URL, and select Copy to copy the URL of the app view.

   For detail views, make sure that you include the row parameter in the URL; it is required to render the detail view in the smart chip.
   
   App URLs copied using the new desktop design (preview) will render using the legacy desktop design when used with AppSheet smart chips.

   
   

Customize the name of the AppSheet smart chip

The name of the AppSheet smart chip defaults to the app view name. You can customize the name of the AppSheet smart chip by changing the Display Name setting for the app view in the Display section when you configure the view. 

 

 

Share the app

In AppSheet, share the app to allow access by Workspace users or domains. See Share: The Essentials.

This ensures that the collaborators in your Google document can see the app content you add. If not, they'll get an error message, as described in Troubleshoot smart chips.

Note: Public access is not supported; the app must require sign-in.

Insert an AppSheet smart chip into a Google Doc

To insert an AppSheet smart chip into a Google Doc, perform the following steps: 

1. Sign in to Google Docs using the same Workspace account that has permissions to access the app.
2. Open a Google Doc 
3. In the Google Doc, paste the URL to the AppSheet app view (that you copied previously) at the desired location. For example:
   
   
4. Click the Tab key to insert an AppSheet smart chip. For example:
   
   
5. Hover over or click the smart chip to view and interact with the AppSheet app view.

View and interact with the AppSheet app

Make sure of the following:

• You are signed in to AppSheet and Google Docs using the same Workspace account.
• Your Workspace account has permissions to access the app.

View and interact with the AppSheet app view by hovering over or clicking the smart chip.

In the following example, the Inspections deck view is displayed. You can click Details to open the detail view for any inspection directly in the Google Doc. 

 

Note: To add or edit an inspection, the app opens in a browser window to display the form view since it's not yet supported in Google Docs smart chips. See supported features.

If the AppSheet app view is not yet supported with smart chips, users are provided the option to open the app in a browser, as shown:

Troubleshoot AppSheet smart chips

If you don't have permission to use an app, the message Failed to load displays as the chip label.

Make sure of the following:

• You are signed in to AppSheet and Google Docs using the same Workspace account.
• Your Workspace account has permissions to access the app.

After you correct the error, click Refresh to refresh the smart chip.