Google Docs API shows 'Unallowed field: tableHeader' error when trying to change table row styles

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1

I’m trying to replicate tables from a Google Docs template to a different document using the API. Everything works well with standard tables, but I face challenges when copying tables that include headers.

My initial request looked like this:

"changeTableRowStyle": {
    "tableLocation": {
        "segmentId": "",
        "index": 425
    },
    "rowIndexes": [0],
    "rowStyle": {
        "rowMinHeight": {
            "unit": "PT"
        },
        "hasTableHeader": true
    },
    "fields": "*"
}

While this copies the table, the headers don’t carry over. To resolve this, I adjusted the fields parameter:

"changeTableRowStyle": {
    "tableLocation": {
        "segmentId": "",
        "index": 425
    },
    "rowIndexes": [0],
    "rowStyle": {
        "rowMinHeight": {
            "unit": "PT"
        },
        "hasTableHeader": true
    },
    "fields": "rowMinHeight,hasTableHeader"
}

However, this resulted in the following error:

changeTableRowStyle: Unallowed field: hasTableHeader

I’ve tried using other properties of TableRowStyle without any issues. I’m unclear if this is a restriction in the API or if I’m missing something in my setup. Any help would be appreciated.

2

Hit this same issue last week. The error pops up because hasTableHeader isn’t updatable with changeTableRowStyle - it’s locked in when you create the table. I ended up deleting the original table and rebuilding it with insertTable, setting headerRowCount from the start. Pain in the ass, but the API treats headers as structure, not styling. For bulk operations, I’d suggest checking table structure with GET requests first to see which ones need headers before copying them.

3

The hasTableHeader property is read-only once you create the table - that’s why you’re getting the error. You can’t modify headers through the API after the fact. You need to set them up during the initial table insertion.

For copying tables with headers from templates, use the insertTable request and set the headerRowCount parameter. I’ve had good luck with this approach when moving complex tables between documents.

changeTableRowStyle only handles styling stuff like height, padding, and formatting. It won’t let you change structural things like header designation.

4

yeah, I faced this too! after creating the table, you can’t change hasTableHeader with changeTableRowStyle. best bet is to set it when you first create the table or use insertTable with headerRowCount. trying to alter it later just throws errors.