Earlier this year, we announced the general availability of third-party smart chips in Google Docs. ...
Overview
The article discusses the creation of smart chips for link previewing in Google Docs, highlighting how third-party smart chips can enhance user engagement with external content. It provides insights into the technologies used, implementation strategies, and how to share these add-ons through the Google Workspace Marketplace.
What You'll Learn
1
How to create your own smart chips for Google Docs
2
Why Google Apps Script is a suitable choice for prototyping add-ons
3
How to publish your smart chip add-on to the Google Workspace Marketplace
Key Questions Answered
How can I create smart chips for link previewing in Google Docs?
To create smart chips for link previewing in Google Docs, you can use Google Workspace Add-ons that detect service links and prompt users to preview them. This involves configuring an add-on's manifest file to specify URL patterns and using widgets to display information in a card interface.
What technologies can I use to create Google Workspace Add-ons?
You can create Google Workspace Add-ons using Google Apps Script or alternate runtimes like Node.js, Java, or Python. Apps Script is ideal for rapid prototyping, while alternate runtimes allow for more flexibility in development environments and languages.
How do I share my smart chip add-on with others?
You can share your smart chip add-on by publishing it to the Google Workspace Marketplace. You can choose to make it available to your organization as a private app or to anyone with a Google Account as a public app.
Technologies & Tools
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Backend
Google Apps Script
Used for creating and deploying Google Workspace Add-ons.
Backend
Node.js
One of the alternate runtimes for developing Google Workspace Add-ons.
Backend
Java
Another alternate runtime option for developing Google Workspace Add-ons.
Backend
Python
An additional alternate runtime option for developing Google Workspace Add-ons.
Key Actionable Insights
1Consider using Google Apps Script for rapid prototyping of your smart chip solutions.Apps Script is built into Google Workspace, making it easy to develop and test your add-ons without needing a complex setup.
2Utilize the Google Workspace Marketplace to distribute your add-ons effectively.Publishing your add-on allows you to reach a wider audience and provides a streamlined way for users to install and use your smart chips.
3Explore the customization options for the card interface displayed by smart chips.Customizing the card interface enhances user experience by providing relevant information and actions directly within Google Docs.
Common Pitfalls
1
Failing to properly configure the add-on's manifest file can lead to issues with link detection.
Ensure that the URL patterns are correctly defined in the manifest file to allow the add-on to function as intended.