Google Docs API - The documentation shows a JSON 'dump' feature for troubleshooting, but the returned JSON differs from the request JSON

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1

I am developing a Google Doc using the Google Docs API, and I came across a JSON ‘dump’ feature that reveals the document structure. However, I’ve noticed that the JSON dump format is not the same as the JSON format utilized for creating or updating the document. For example, I retrieved the following truncated JSON from the dump:

{
    "body": {
        "content": [
            {
                "endIndex": 1,
                "sectionBreak": {
                    "sectionStyle": {
                        "columnSeparatorStyle": "NONE",
                        "contentDirection": "LEFT_TO_RIGHT"
                    }
                }
            },
            {
                "endIndex": 75,
                "paragraph": {
                    "elements": [
                        {
                            "endIndex": 75,
                            "startIndex": 1,
                            "textRun": {
                                "content": "This is a sample paragraph. It represents the initial section of the document.\n",
                                "textStyle": {}
                            }
                        }
                    ],
                    "paragraphStyle": {
                        "direction": "LEFT_TO_RIGHT",
                        "namedStyleType": "NORMAL_TEXT"
                    }
                },
                "startIndex": 1
            }
        ]
    }
}

Meanwhile, this is an example of how the update requests are documented:

const modificationTemplate = {
    docId: 'myDocumentID',
    data: {
        actions: [
            {
                insertText: {
                    content: 'hello there',
                    position: {
                        index: 1
                    }
                }
            }
        ]
    }
};

It appears that while both formats share some common elements, the actual notations for JSON writing differ. I’m looking for a way to format the JSON in a manner that aligns with the ‘dump’ structure, which would make document creation much easier. Otherwise, I would need to manually convert everything between the different formats, which is overwhelming due to the volume of data. Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated!

2

I’ve encountered similar issues while working with Google Docs API. The key takeaway is that these discrepancies arise because documentation tools often use the ‘dump’ JSON format as a reflection of the document’s real-time state, which serves purposes like debugging or audit trails. However, API requests specifically optimize for task-specific actions, hence the variation. To streamline your workflow, consider developing a script that parses and translates JSON ‘dump’ outputs into a format compatible with your API modification requests. This might involve creating a layer of abstraction around the Google Docs API methods, allowing for smoother and automated conversions between these formats.

3

You can try using a library or existing tools for JSON transformation, it can help in automatic conversion between the ‘dump’ JSON and API request format. Also, exploring webhooks might assist in better alignment for dynamic document changes if you’re handling many docs automatically.

4

I faced a similar challenge when integrating with the Google Docs API. What has worked for me is focusing on understanding the core structure differences to construct a reusable function that maps the ‘dump’ JSON format to the request format. Paying close attention to specific elements, like text runs and paragraph styles, helped streamline the process. Also, using a logging feature can help in tracing how different document actions translate between these formats. It might require some initial setup, but it definitely saves time in the long run.