Google script to getValue AND keep formatting (not just text)

Question

I'm writing a gmailApp script that looks at a spreadsheet and will send some emails out based on a sheet of names and emails. I'm trying to make it as user-friendly as possible. I'm aware I can use the option parameter and use htmlBody to send an email with formatting but I'd prefer the end-user not to have to enter the script to update the body if they want a link or to bold something.

I have a cell for the email body like this but can't seem to find the function to capture the formatting.

Dear {{name}},

Something something test. Link

Thanks

And when I use getValue or getDisplayValue it just returns

Dear {{name}}, Something something test. Link Thanks

No new lines, no links or formatting, etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

There is no direct way to convert a the rich text content from a cell into HTML.

One way is the following

1. First the code have to get a RichTextValue object
2. then get the "runs"
3. then get the content and formatting of each run
4. then convert the convert that into HTML

Another way is the following:

1. First the code have to export the spreadsheet to HTML
2. then get the cell content

References

• https://developers.google.com/apps-script/reference/spreadsheet/rich-text-value