Autofilling data based on shared URL in Google Forms / Google Spreadsheets

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Summary

The problem involves creating a unique URL for each location where a Google Forms survey will be distributed, in order to autofill the Location_ID column in the corresponding Google Spreadsheet based on the visited URL. This allows for distinguishing responses by Location_ID while using a single survey form and spreadsheet.

Root Cause

The root cause of this issue is the need to pass parameters from the URL to the Google Form and then to the Google Spreadsheet, which is not a straightforward process. The key challenges are:

  • Creating a unique URL for each location
  • Passing the Location_ID parameter from the URL to the Google Form
  • Autofilling the Location_ID column in the Google Spreadsheet

Why This Happens in Real Systems

This issue occurs in real systems when:

  • Data collection needs to be location-specific
  • A single survey form and spreadsheet are used for multiple locations
  • QR codes are used to distribute the survey, and each location needs a unique QR code
  • The Location_ID needs to be autofilled in the spreadsheet based on the visited URL

Real-World Impact

The real-world impact of this issue includes:

  • Inaccurate data collection if the Location_ID is not properly recorded
  • Inefficient data analysis if the Location_ID is not easily identifiable
  • Increased complexity in managing multiple survey forms and spreadsheets for different locations

Example or Code (if necessary and relevant)

function autofillLocationId(e) {
  var locationId = e.parameter.locationId;
  var sheet = e.source.getActiveSheet();
  var row = e.range.getRow();
  sheet.getRange(row, 2).setValue(locationId);
}

This code snippet demonstrates how to use a Google Apps Script to autofill the Location_ID column in the Google Spreadsheet based on the locationId parameter passed from the URL.

How Senior Engineers Fix It

Senior engineers fix this issue by:

  • Using Google Apps Script to create a custom function that autofills the Location_ID column
  • Utilizing URL parameters to pass the Location_ID from the URL to the Google Form
  • Implementing data validation to ensure accurate data collection and analysis
  • Testing and debugging the solution to ensure it works as expected

Why Juniors Miss It

Juniors may miss this issue due to:

  • Lack of experience with Google Apps Script and URL parameters
  • Insufficient understanding of data validation and data analysis concepts
  • Inadequate testing and debugging of the solution
  • Overlooking the importance of autofilling the Location_ID column for accurate data collection