Object reference

Trigger builder

ScriptApp.newTrigger(functionName) returns a TriggerBuilder that configures a timeBased(), forSpreadsheet(), or forForm() trigger before create() saves it.

ScriptApp.TriggerBuilder

Start here

Get this object first

Running this setup function installs a persistent daily schedule. It checks for an existing trigger first. To stop it later, open Triggers in Apps Script and delete the writeDailyLog trigger.

Code.gs

function createDailyLogTrigger() {
  const alreadyInstalled = ScriptApp.getProjectTriggers().some((trigger) => {
    return trigger.getHandlerFunction() === 'writeDailyLog';
  });
  if (alreadyInstalled) return;

  ScriptApp.newTrigger('writeDailyLog')
    .timeBased()
    .everyDays(1)
    .atHour(9)
    .create();
}

function writeDailyLog() {
  Logger.log('The daily trigger ran.');
}

Then use it

Common actions

Choose an action, then open its example only when you need the code.

Check whether the daily trigger is installed

This records only Installed or Not installed. It does not create or delete a trigger.

ScriptApp.TriggerBuilder

Show example code

Code.gs

function logDailyTriggerStatus() {
  const installed = ScriptApp.getProjectTriggers().some((trigger) => {
    return trigger.getHandlerFunction() === 'writeDailyLog';
  });
  Logger.log(installed ? 'Installed' : 'Not installed');
}

Count existing triggers before calling newTrigger

This logs how many installable triggers the current user already owns in this project before creating another one.

ScriptApp.TriggerBuilderScriptApp.Trigger

Show example code

Code.gs

function logCurrentTriggerCount() {
  const triggers = ScriptApp.getProjectTriggers();
  Logger.log('Current-user triggers in project: ' + triggers.length);
}

Check whether a spreadsheet trigger is already installed

This inspects getProjectTriggers() for a specific handler and trigger source before you call ScriptApp.newTrigger().forSpreadsheet().

ScriptApp.TriggerBuilderScriptApp.Trigger

Show example code

Code.gs

function checkSpreadsheetTriggerInstalled() {
  const installed = ScriptApp.getProjectTriggers().some((trigger) => {
    return (
      trigger.getHandlerFunction() === 'sendStatusEmail' &&
      trigger.getTriggerSource() === ScriptApp.TriggerSource.SPREADSHEETS
    );
  });
  Logger.log(installed ? 'Spreadsheet trigger installed' : 'Spreadsheet trigger not installed');
}

Technical reference

Exact names and signatures

Generated runtime and signature facts stay separate from the beginner actions above. Open method details only when you need them.

At a glance

Service: ScriptApp
Reference symbol: ScriptApp.TriggerBuilder
Object: TriggerBuilder
Runtime: From signature data

Open the Google reference source

Methods and signatures

Browse 5 methods

forDocument

From signature data Google source

forDocument(document: string): ScriptApp.DocumentTriggerBuilder
forDocument(document: DocumentApp.Document): ScriptApp.DocumentTriggerBuilder

forForm

From signature data Google source

forForm(form: string): ScriptApp.FormTriggerBuilder
forForm(form: FormApp.Form): ScriptApp.FormTriggerBuilder

forSpreadsheet

From signature data Google source

forSpreadsheet(spreadsheet: string): ScriptApp.SpreadsheetTriggerBuilder
forSpreadsheet(spreadsheet: SpreadsheetApp.Spreadsheet): ScriptApp.SpreadsheetTriggerBuilder

forUserCalendar

From signature data Google source

forUserCalendar(emailId: string): ScriptApp.CalendarTriggerBuilder

timeBased

From signature data Google source

timeBased(): ScriptApp.ClockTriggerBuilder

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Task guides cover setup, permissions, expected results, and troubleshooting as well as object methods.

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