How to Automate Recurring Reminders from Google Sheets

Automate recurring reminders by connecting Google Sheets to Gmail using Apps Script. A step-by-step guide for scheduled notifications.

1. Open the Apps Script editor. Open your target Google Sheet. Navigate to the top menu bar, select Extensions, and click Apps Script to open the integrated development environment in a new browser tab.
2. Define the reminder script. Delete existing code in the editor and insert a function that retrieves your sheet data using SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet(). Create a loop to evaluate your date column against the current date, and use GmailApp.sendEmail() to dispatch notifications when conditions are met.
3. Authorize the script permissions. Click the Save icon in the toolbar. Click Run to execute the function manually, then click Review Permissions in the prompt. Select your Google account and click Advanced to proceed past the unverified warning to grant access to your Gmail and Sheets.
4. Create a time-driven trigger. In the left sidebar, click the Triggers icon (clock symbol). Click Add Trigger at the bottom right, select your function, and change Event source to Time-driven. Set the type to Day timer and specify your preferred hour for the reminder to fire.
5. Test the automation. Verify the trigger is active by checking the Triggers dashboard. Update a row in your sheet to reflect a date that matches today’s criteria to ensure the email is received in your inbox.