How to show Google Spreadsheet changes without reloading page?

Question

I have a use case in my application to export data to a SpreadSheet.

For context, the use case is:

• The user accesses the application (Front) using their web browser.
• The user clicks on the button to export data.
• At this time, a request is sent to an API rest (back application) to start the export.
• The Back application creates a spreadsheet and returns the ID.
• The Front application opens the spreadsheet in a new tab.
• The Back application adds data asynchronously (using the GDrive rest API) to the spreadsheet.

At this point, user need to reload the page multiple times to see the changes that the back application is making on the spreadsheet. Is there any way to see the changes without having to reload the page?

Answer 1

Instead of using the Google Drive API try using the Google Sheets API, if that doesn't work as you need, you should consider to completely change how your solution works in order to achieve what you are looking for by using Google Apps Script.

NOTE:

Please bear in mind that

1. if your spreadsheet has formulas they are recalculated on the client side every time that an change is made to the spreadsheet
2. the spreadsheet recalculation is proportional to the number and complexity of the formulas.
3. Some changes to the spreadsheet, i.e. changing the spreadsheet timezone, will cause an automatic spreadsheet reloading.