How to Use Gemini in Google AppSheet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Q&A Chatbot

What are Gemini and AppSheet?

Essential Ingredients

1. Google Sheet as a Database: Acts as the backbone of your application, storing data that AppSheet will utilize.

2. JavaScript Script in Google App Script: Facilitates the connection between Gemini API and AppSheet, handling data processing and API requests.

3. AppSheet Application: The platform where your chatbot will reside, providing the user interface and interaction capabilities.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Setting Up Your Google Sheet

2. Creating a Script with Google App Script

1. Get API key: Go to ‣

2. Create API key and copy API Key

3. Access the Script Editor: Go to https://script.google.com/

4. Write the Script: Write a JavaScript script that makes API calls to the Gemini API using HTTP requests.

5. Insert Your API Key: Ensure you insert your unique Gemini API key within the script to authenticate API requests.

6. Run Your Script: Test the script by running it within the editor to ensure it can retrieve and process responses via the Gemini API.

const API_KEY = 'INPUT_YOUR_API_KEY'; 
const URL = `https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/models/gemini-1.5-flash-latest:generateContent?key=${API_KEY}`;

function askGPT(prompt) {
  const payload = {
    "contents":[
        {"role": "model",
         "parts":[{
           "text": "You are an intelligent and interactive assistant within an application called An GPT. Your task is to generate a list of creative ideas. Utilize your extensive knowledge to provide answers that are as human-like as possible, ensuring they are engaging and insightful. The list should encompass diverse and innovative concepts, tailored to assist users in various inquiries they may have. Make sure your suggestions are clear, relevant, and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of each topic. Aim for a well-rounded collection of ideas that can cater to multiple scenarios, displaying both creativity and practicality. Please maintain a friendly and conversational tone, reflecting the nature of genuine human interaction."}]},
        {"role": "user",
         "parts":[{
           "text": prompt }]
        },
    ]
  }

  const options = {
    method: 'post',
    contentType: 'application/json',
    payload: JSON.stringify(payload)
  };

  try {
    const response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(URL, options);
    const json = JSON.parse(response.getContentText());
    return json["candidates"][0]["content"]["parts"][0]["text"];
  } catch (e) {
    return `Error: ${e.message}`;
  }
}

• Replace API Key: Insert your actual Gemini API key in place of `'INPUT_YOUR_API_KEY'`.

• Deploy the Script as a Web App: Click on `Deploy` > `New Deployment`, select `Web App`, set appropriate access permissions, and deploy. Note the Web App URL for later use.

3. Building Your AppSheet Application

• Step 1: Go to AppSheet and log in.

• Step 2: Click on "Make a new app" and select your Chatbot_QA Google Sheet as the data source.

• Step 3: Design the user interface:
• Add a form where users can input their questions.
• Use Actions and Workflows to trigger the Apps Script when a question is submitted.

• Step 4: Configure the app to display the chatbot's response to the user.

4. Integrate the script to process user inputs.

1. In AppSheet, go to Automation, and create a new bot.

2. Choose Table and Data change type = “ADD”.

3. Click add process —> Create a new step —> Run a task

4. In Setting tab, click Call a Script

5. Choose Apps Script Project

6. Function name: askGPT(prompt), Function params: [Prompt]

7. Add new step → Run a data action —> Set row values —> Set these column(s) = [New step].[Output]

8. Click save and try it.

Tips and Best Practices

• Secure Your API Key: Always keep your Gemini API key confidential. Consider using AppSheet's secured storage or environment variables to store sensitive information.

• Optimize Data Structure: Ensure your Google Sheet is well-organized to facilitate efficient data retrieval and storage, minimizing latency in responses.

• Error Handling: Implement robust error handling in your Google App Script to manage API failures gracefully and provide meaningful feedback to users.

• Test Thoroughly: Before deploying your chatbot, conduct extensive testing to ensure all components interact seamlessly and the bot responds accurately.

• Monitor Usage: Keep an eye on your API usage to avoid exceeding limits, and optimize your queries to make the most of your API quota.

• Enhance User Experience: Customize the chatbot's responses and interface within AppSheet to make interactions intuitive and engaging for users.

Conclusion