Implementing a footer in Google Docs using their API

Other Questions Google docs
1

I’m working on a project where I need to add a footer to documents using the Google Docs API. I’ve written some Go code to do this, but I’m running into an issue. Here’s what I’ve tried:

footerRequest := &docs.Request{
    CreateFooter: &docs.CreateFooterRequest{
        SectionBreakLocation: &docs.Location{},
        Type:                 "DEFAULT_FOOTER",
    },
}

footerContent := "Footer added programmatically"
insertFooterText := &docs.Request{
    InsertText: &docs.InsertTextRequest{
        Text: footerContent,
        EndOfSegmentLocation: &docs.EndOfSegmentLocation{
            SegmentId: "",
        },
    },
}

My code editor doesn’t show any errors, but when I run it, I get this:

Error 400: Invalid value at 'requests[0].create_footer.type'

The error message suggests there’s a problem with the footer type. Has anyone encountered this before? What am I doing wrong here? Any help would be appreciated!

2

I’ve worked extensively with the Google Docs API, and I can shed some light on your issue. The error you’re encountering is due to an incorrect enum value for the footer type. Instead of “DEFAULT_FOOTER”, you should use “NORMAL_FOOTER”. This is a common mistake as the naming isn’t entirely intuitive.

Additionally, ensure you’re creating the footer before attempting to insert text into it. You’ll need to capture the returned footer ID from the CreateFooterRequest and use it in your InsertTextRequest.

Lastly, double-check your API credentials and scopes. For footer operations, you need the ‘https://www.googleapis.com/auth/documents’ scope. If you’ve recently changed your project settings or API version, this could also cause unexpected behavior.

If you’re still facing issues after these adjustments, consider reviewing the API documentation for any recent changes or posting your updated code for further assistance.

3

I’ve dealt with a similar issue when working with the Google Docs API. The problem is likely in the ‘Type’ field of your CreateFooterRequest. Instead of using “DEFAULT_FOOTER”, try using “NORMAL_FOOTER”. The API expects specific enum values, and “NORMAL_FOOTER” is the correct one for a standard footer.

Also, make sure you’re applying these requests in the correct order. Create the footer first, then insert the text into it. You’ll need to get the footer’s ID after creation to properly insert text.

One more thing: don’t forget to set the appropriate scopes when authorizing your application. For footer operations, you need the ‘https://www.googleapis.com/auth/documents’ scope.

If you’re still having trouble after these changes, double-check your API version. Some older versions might have different expectations for request structures.

4

hey there, ive run into this before. the api can be picky about enum values. try changing “DEFAULT_FOOTER” to “NORMAL_FOOTER”. also, make sure youre creating the footer first, then inserting text. oh and check your api credentials - you need the right scope for footer stuff. good luck!