Weekly summary
Every Monday trigger emails open tasks from a Tasks sheet.
What is a time-driven trigger?
A time-driven trigger (clock trigger) runs an Apps Script function on a schedule you choose, such as every hour or every Monday at 8 a.m. It works even when the spreadsheet is closed, subject to Apps Script quotas.
When to use it
Use time-driven triggers for digest emails, nightly backups, reminder rows, and scheduled API syncs.
When to skip it
Skip clock triggers for sub-minute reactions; use onEdit or external streaming instead.
How it works
-
1
Write a function that completes within execution time limits.
-
2
Add trigger > Time-driven.
-
3
Pick interval or daily timer.
-
4
Authorize services used.
-
5
Log last run time on a Settings tab.
-
6
Monitor Executions for failures.
Examples in Google Sheets
Build this without starting from a blank cell
Use a Better Sheets tool for time-driven trigger, then watch a walkthrough when you want the full pattern.
Better Sheets resources
Common mistakes
- 1-minute trigger for work that only needs daily cadence.
- No logging so silent failures go unnoticed.
- Assuming trigger runs in your timezone without checking Apps Script clock settings.
Frequently asked questions
- Time-driven vs Zapier schedule?
- Time-driven runs inside Apps Script quotas. Zapier bills per task and connects many apps.
- Sheet closed?
- Clock triggers can still run without the UI open.
Related Tutorials
Watch how time-driven trigger works
What Can You Automate in Google Sheets? Every single trigger available to Google Sheet users
Now Do It Every Damn Day - Learn to Code in Google Sheets Part 5
Automatic Weekly Backup of Google Sheets
Learn to Code in Google Sheets, For Programmers
Uncheck Every Checkbox in Google Sheets
Every Google Drive File Created in Last 24 Hours
Related blog posts
Guides that explain time-driven trigger in more depth.
What Can You Automate in Google Sheets? Every single trigger available to Google Sheet users
Make your data tasks simpler & efficient. Discover the power of automation in Google Sheets with a comprehensive guide that covers everything from triggers to scripts.
Read post →Learn to Code in Google Sheets, For Programmers | For Advanced Google Sheet Users
If you know how to code, you'll learn in this step-by-step tutorial how to code in Google Sheets.
Read post →How to Use Google Sheets for Advanced Project Management
Master Google Sheets for project management with these advanced tips. Check our free tutorials, tools, and templates for data management, task flow, and much more.
Read post →Related glossary terms
installable trigger
An installable trigger is configured in Apps Script > Triggers and binds a function to an event such as on edit, on form submit, or time-driven clock. It can run with authorization the simple trigger cannot, and you can set failure notifications.
Read guide →Apps Script triggers
Triggers tell Apps Script when to run a function: on edit, on open, on a schedule, or when a form is submitted. Simple triggers use reserved names like onEdit. Installable triggers are created in the Apps Script Triggers page and can do more, including running as a specific user or on a timer.
Read guide →Google Sheets automation
Automation means work happens without repeating the same clicks every day: imports update, emails send, rows move, and dashboards refresh. In Sheets, automation usually stacks built-in features, Apps Script, and sometimes the Sheets API or add-ons. Start with the lightest tool that still solves the job.
Read guide →MailApp
MailApp is an Apps Script service that sends email from your Google account without opening Gmail. You call MailApp.sendEmail with a recipient, subject, and body, often using cell values as the content. It is the fastest way to notify someone when a row is added or a deadline hits in a tracker.
Read guide →Done reading about time-driven trigger?
Membership unlocks 636+ tutorials, unlimited generators, and every template. Practical lessons. Zero fluff.
Need this once
Jump to a free tool or a single tutorial for this topic.
Learning Sheets for real
Unlock the full library, generators, and templates with membership.