Build a Full CRUD Web App with Apps Script and Google Sheets

A CRUD web app treats Google Sheets as a lightweight database: Create appends rows, Read lists filtered data, Update sets values by primary key, Delete removes or soft-deletes with IsActive column.

Primary keys should be UUIDs generated with Utilities.getUuid(), not fragile row numbers after sorts. Soft delete preserves audit history finance teams expect.

Build UI with HtmlService per /blog/apps-script-html-service-guide and secure with /blog/apps-script-user-authentication.

Example code

function updateRecord(id, patch) {
  const lock = LockService.getScriptLock();
  lock.waitLock(10000);
  try {
    const sh = SpreadsheetApp.openById('SHEET_ID').getSheetByName('Data');
    const ids = sh.getRange('A2:A').getValues().flat();
    const idx = ids.indexOf(id);
    if (idx < 0) throw new Error('Not found');
    const row = idx + 2;
    if (patch.name) sh.getRange(row, 2).setValue(patch.name);
    sh.getRange(row, 4).setValue(new Date());
  } finally {
    lock.releaseLock();
  }
}

FAQ