Replace Placeholders within Shape Groups in Google Slides using App Script

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the script, make sure you have the following:

• A Google Slides presentation with shape groups containing placeholders.
• Basic knowledge of App Script (don’t worry, we’ll guide you through it!).
• A willingness to learn and experiment!

The Script

Create a new script in your Google Slides presentation by following these steps:

1. Open your Google Slides presentation.
2. Click on the “Tools” menu and select “Script editor.”

function replacePlaceholders() {
  var presentation = SlidesApp.getActivePresentation();
  var slides = presentation.getSlides();
  
  // Define the placeholders and their replacements
  var placeholders = {
    "{{name}}": "John Doe",
    "{{title}}": "Software Engineer",
    "{{company}}": "ABC Inc."
  };
  
  // Loop through each slide
  slides.forEach(function(slide) {
    var shapes = slide.getShapes();
    
    // Loop through each shape
    shapes.forEach(function(shape) {
      if (shape.getShapeType() === SlidesApp.ShapeType.GROUP) {
        var group = shape.asGroup();
        var elements = group.getElements();
        
        // Loop through each element in the group
        elements.forEach(function(element) {
          if (element.getType() === SlidesApp.ElementType.TEXT) {
            var text = element.asText();
            var textContent = text.getText();
            
            // Replace placeholders with actual content
            Object.keys(placeholders).forEach(function(placeholder) {
              textContent = textContent.replace(placeholder, placeholders[placeholder]);
            });
            
            text.setText(textContent);
          }
        });
      }
    });
  });
}

This script defines a function called replacePlaceholders() that loops through each slide, shape, and element in the presentation. It then replaces the placeholders with the actual content using the Object.keys() method and the replace() method.

Customizing the Script

The script above uses a simple object to define the placeholders and their replacements. You can customize this object to fit your specific needs:

var placeholders = {
  "{{name}}": "John Doe",
  "{{title}}": "Software Engineer",
  "{{company}}": "ABC Inc.",
  "{{date}}": new Date(),
  "{{image}}": "https://example.com/image.jpg"
};

In this example, we’ve added a new placeholder for the date and an image. You can add or remove placeholders as needed.

Running the Script

To run the script, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “Run” button (or press Ctrl+Enter) to execute the script.
2. The script will replace the placeholders with the actual content.
3. Save your presentation to apply the changes.

Tips and Variations

Here are some tips and variations to enhance your script:

• Use a separate sheet for placeholders: Instead of hardcoding the placeholders in the script, you can store them in a separate sheet and read them into the script using the getRange() method.
• Use a JSON file for placeholders: You can store the placeholders in a JSON file and read them into the script using the JSON.parse() method.
• Replace placeholders with images: You can use the getBlob() method to replace placeholders with images.
• Use Add-ons for advanced functionality: You can use Add-ons like Slides Toolbox or Slides Creator to enhance the functionality of your script.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored how to replace placeholders within shape groups in Google Slides using App Script. By automating this process, you can save time and increase your productivity. Remember to customize the script to fit your specific needs and requirements, and don’t be afraid to experiment and learn more about App Script!

Share your experiences and tips in the comments below, and happy scripting!

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Frequently Asked Question

Get ready to master the art of replacing placeholders within shape groups in Google Slides using AppScript! Below, we’ll dive into the most commonly asked questions and provide you with the answers you need to take your slide game to the next level.