How do I apply placeholder text to a changing set of columns in Google Sheets so that each day’s columns cycle through default values without being removed when edited?
In my experience, using a Google Apps Script to manage placeholder text offered a reliable solution. I configured a time-driven trigger that would check specific ranges at set intervals and reapply default text to cells that hadn’t been manually edited. This method ensures that manually entered data remains untouched while new or cleared cells receive the necessary defaults. With some tweaking of range parameters and conditions, I was able to tailor the script to adjust dynamically as column sets changed daily.
In my experience, I solved a similar problem by combining an onEdit trigger with a reference table that stored default values for each day. This allowed me to dynamically reassign placeholder text without interfering with user entries. I set up the script so that whenever a cell within the defined range was cleared, it would automatically check against the reference and fill it with the appropriate default text based on the column’s cycle day. This method required some careful planning to ensure only empty cells were updated, and it adapted well as my column ranges shifted daily.
hey, i ended up using a mix of conditional formatting and a simple onEdit script. even though it was a bit tricky to setup, it allowed the placeholder txt to repopulate without messing up user entries. works pretty well now in my sheet setup