📋How to Update Multiple Cell Values in Google Sheets with Apps Script

1. Overview

\[ \begin{array}{l} \textbf{You can update multiple cell values in Google Sheets simultaneously --} \\ \text{using Apps Script's getRange().setValues() method to write arrays of data at once.} \\ \textbf{This enables fast, bulk updates --} \\ \text{reducing execution time compared to updating each cell individually.} \end{array} \]

2. Core Steps

\[ \begin{array}{ll} \mathbf{Step\ 1:} & \text{Open your Google Spreadsheet.} \\ \mathbf{Step\ 2:} & \text{Go to Extensions} \rightarrow \text{Apps Script.} \\ \mathbf{Step\ 3:} & \text{Decide which sheet and range you want to update.} \\ \mathbf{Step\ 4:} & \text{Prepare a 2D array with the new values.} \\ \mathbf{Step\ 5:} & \text{Use getRange(row, col, numRows, numCols).setValues(array) to update.} \\ \mathbf{Step\ 6:} & \text{Run the script and authorize permissions.} \\ \mathbf{Step\ 7:} & \text{(Optional) Fetch data dynamically before updating.} \end{array} \]

3. Sample Google Apps Script

// Code.gs
function updateMultipleCells() {
  var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
  var sheet = ss.getSheetByName("Sheet1");
  
  // New values to set: 2 rows × 3 columns
  var values = [
    ["Name", "Email", "Status"],
    ["John Doe", "[email protected]", "Active"]
  ];
  
  // Update range starting at row 1, column 1
  sheet.getRange(1, 1, values.length, values[0].length).setValues(values);
}

4. Important Notes

\[ \begin{array}{l} \text{• setValues() requires a 2D array, even for a single cell.} \\ \text{• The array size must exactly match the specified range size.} \\ \text{• This method is faster than setting values cell-by-cell.} \\ \text{• Ensure no formulas are unintentionally overwritten.} \\ \text{• You can combine with getValues() for read-modify-write workflows.} \end{array} \]

5. Conceptual Flow (in LaTeX)

The process can be described as:

\[ \text{Prepared 2D Array of Data} \xrightarrow{\text{setValues()}} \text{Target Range in Google Sheet} \]

Where: \[ \text{Data} = \begin{bmatrix} \text{"Name"} & \text{"Email"} & \text{"Status"} \\ \text{"John Doe"} & \text{"[email protected]"} & \text{"Active"} \end{bmatrix} \]