Adding custom menus to every Google Doc: Possible solutions?

Hey everyone, I’ve been working on a project to enhance Google Docs functionality. At first, I tried creating a container-bound script for a single document. But then I realized I wanted something that would work across all my Google Docs.

I attempted to build a Chrome extension with content scripts to add a custom menu, but it turned out to be quite challenging. I’m wondering if there’s an easier or more efficient way to accomplish this.

Does anyone know of a good method to add a custom menu to all Google Docs associated with a specific account? I’d really appreciate any insights or alternative approaches you might have!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Have you considered using Google Apps Script’s onOpen() trigger? This approach allows you to create a script that automatically adds your custom menu to any Google Doc you open. You’d need to set it up as a standalone script and authorize it for your account. The main advantage is that it works across all your docs without needing to modify each one individually or rely on browser extensions. It’s been quite reliable in my experience, though there is a slight delay when opening documents as the script runs. Just remember to thoroughly test your menu functions to ensure they work as intended across different docs.

I encountered a similar challenge a while back and eventually discovered that a standalone Google Apps Script offered the most reliable solution. In my case, the script was designed to trigger on document open, automatically adding the custom menu without the need for separate browser extensions. By deploying the script as a Google Docs add-on, it became applicable to all documents, whether published privately to a domain or made available publicly. Although the setup involved coordinating permissions within my organization, the server-side approach proved both efficient and maintainable.

hey Luna23, i’ve dealt with this before. u might wanna look into Google Workspace Add-ons. they let u create custom menus across multiple Google apps, including Docs. it’s kinda like a supercharged version of Apps Script. takes some coding skills, but way more flexible than other options. give it a shot!