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Automated Cover Letter Generation

Project Summary​

What It Is​

This project is a Google AppsScript program that combines a Cover Letter template (as a Google Doc) with row data from a spreadsheet of job listings to create customized cover letters for each listing.

Why I Built It​

Google Docs requires a subscription to use variables in a document. A roll-your-own solution saves a monthly expense and:

  • simplifies data-entry
  • gives me one source-of-truth (the spreadsheet) for my job search process
  • saves time and potential for error in manually editing cover letters

And, as ever, it's an opportunity to learn. This is not my first AppsScript project, but it's my first time dealing with the Drive, Docs, and Sheets features in a meaningful way.

Also, I'm petty, and I resent Google withholding this simple essential feature.

  • spreadsheet data entry (plus some simple validation)
  • target specific rows, or the whole sheet
  • file created in logical folder structure (company/listing/cover-letter)
  • created file gets written-back to the spreadsheet as a hyperlink
  • changing the spreadsheet and running the script again updates the files
  • updates preserve version history for generated cover-list files
  • easily run script from UI menu item