What's the Python method for adding content to the bottom of a Google Doc?

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1

Hey folks, I’m stuck trying to figure out how to add some text to the end of my Google Doc using Python. Right now, my code is putting the new stuff at the top, but that’s not what I want. Here’s what I’m aiming for:

I’ve got a doc that looks like this:

today's date
some text here
    more details
    extra info

And I want to add this to the bottom:

tomorrow's date
new text here
    new details
    extra new info

So the final doc should be:

today's date
some text here
    more details
    extra info

tomorrow's date
new text here
    new details
    extra new info

I’ve got some code that’s working with the Google Docs API, but it’s not quite doing what I need. Any ideas on how to tweak it to append text at the end instead of the beginning? Thanks a bunch for any help!

2

To append content to the end of a Google Doc using Python, you’ll want to use the ‘insertText’ method from the Google Docs API. Here’s a quick rundown:

  1. First, get the document’s current end index.
  2. Then, use that index as the insertion point for your new content.

Something like this should work:

document = service.documents().get(documentId=DOCUMENT_ID).execute()
end_index = document['body']['content'][-1]['endIndex']

requests = [
    {
        'insertText': {
            'location': {
                'index': end_index - 1
            },
            'text': '\n\nYour new content here'
        }
    }
]

service.documents().batchUpdate(documentId=DOCUMENT_ID, body={'requests': requests}).execute()

This approach ensures your new content always goes at the end, regardless of what’s already in the document. Hope this helps!

3

Hey ameliat, I’ve been in your shoes before and I think I can help. The key is to use the ‘insertText’ method, but you need to target the right index. Here’s what worked for me:

First, grab the document’s end index. This is crucial because it tells you where the document currently ends. Then, use that index as your insertion point.

In your Python script, after you’ve set up your Google Docs API service, try something like this:

doc = service.documents().get(documentId=YOUR_DOC_ID).execute()
end_index = doc[‘body’][‘content’][-1][‘endIndex’]

requests = [
{
‘insertText’: {
‘location’: {‘index’: end_index - 1},
‘text’: ‘\n\nYour new content here’
}
}
]

service.documents().batchUpdate(documentId=YOUR_DOC_ID, body={‘requests’: requests}).execute()

This should do the trick. The ‘\n\n’ at the start of your new content ensures it starts on a new line. Just replace ‘Your new content here’ with the text you want to add. Good luck!

4

yo ameliat, i’ve dealt with this before. the trick is using the ‘insertText’ method with the right index. try this:

get the doc’s end index first. then use that as your insertion point.

after setting up your API service, do something like:

end_index = doc[‘body’][‘content’][-1][‘endIndex’]
requests = [{‘insertText’: {‘location’: {‘index’: end_index - 1}, ‘text’: ‘\n\nNew stuff here’}}]
service.documents().batchUpdate(documentId=YOUR_DOC_ID, body={‘requests’: requests}).execute()

should work. good luck!