Generating multiple Google Docs files using Java API

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1

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to create 300 Google Docs files using the Google Docs API in Java. I’ve been working with the API but I’m running into some issues. Here’s what I’ve done so far:

public class DocCreator {
    private static final String APP_NAME = "Bulk Doc Generator";
    private static final JsonFactory JSON_FACTORY = GsonFactory.getDefaultInstance();
    private static final String TOKEN_DIR = "auth_tokens";
    private static final List<String> SCOPES = Collections.singletonList(DocsScopes.DOCUMENTS);

    private static Credential getAuth(final NetHttpTransport HTTP_TRANSPORT) throws IOException {
        // Auth code here...
    }

    private static void generateDocs(Docs service, int count) throws IOException {
        for (int i = 0; i < count; i++) {
            Document doc = new Document().setTitle("Generated Doc " + (i + 1));
            doc = service.documents().create(doc).execute();
            System.out.println("Created: " + doc.getTitle());
        }
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException, GeneralSecurityException {
        final NetHttpTransport HTTP_TRANSPORT = GoogleNetHttpTransport.newTrustedTransport();
        Docs service = new Docs.Builder(HTTP_TRANSPORT, JSON_FACTORY, getAuth(HTTP_TRANSPORT))
                .setApplicationName(APP_NAME)
                .build();

        generateDocs(service, 300);
    }
}

I’m getting a 403 Forbidden error with “Insufficient Permission”. I’ve tried changing the SCOPES from DOCUMENTS_READONLY to just DOCUMENTS, but it’s still not working. Any ideas on what I’m doing wrong or how to fix this? Thanks!

2

Having worked extensively with Google APIs, I can offer some insights. First, ensure you’ve correctly set up your project in the Google Cloud Console and enabled the necessary APIs. Double-check your OAuth 2.0 client credentials and make sure they’re properly configured. It’s also worth verifying that your application has the correct scopes. In your case, you might need to add the ‘https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file’ scope alongside the existing one. Additionally, implement exponential backoff for your API calls to handle potential rate limiting issues. Lastly, consider using a service account instead of OAuth 2.0 if you’re creating documents programmatically without user interaction. This approach often simplifies the authentication process for bulk operations.

3

I have encountered similar issues with Google APIs before, and the 403 error often points to an authentication or permission problem. It might be helpful to first ensure that the Google Docs API is enabled in your Google Cloud Console project. Also, verify that the credentials you are using have the proper rights to create documents, whether you are using a service account or an OAuth 2.0 client. If you are using a service account, check that domain-wide delegation is enabled if you are working with a Google Workspace account. Additionally, confirm that your OAuth consent screen is set up and published correctly. Clearing your token cache and re-authenticating can sometimes resolve hidden issues. Testing your API calls using the Google OAuth 2.0 Playground may offer further insights into the problem.

4

yo man, i had simular trouble. check ur scopes again, maybe u need https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file too. also make sure ur creds r fresh n not expired. sometimes the api can be finicky, try makin just one doc first to test. good luck bro!