Conference Calendar Google Apps Script

This directory contains a Google Apps Script that automatically fetches top-rated conferences from the CFP JSON endpoint and updates the Google Sheet.

Features

  • Fetches conference data from the CFP Timeline JSON
  • Filters for only top-rated conferences (A++, A*, A+, A)
  • Formats dates in DD/MM/YYYY format
  • Writes data to the specified Google Sheet
  • Provides a custom menu for manual updates
  • Can be scheduled to run automatically

Setup Instructions

  1. Open your Google Sheet
  2. In the Google Sheet, go to Extensions → Apps Script
  3. Delete any existing code in the script editor
  4. Copy the entire content of fetch_top_conferences.gs and paste it into the script editor
  5. Save the script (Ctrl+S or Cmd+S) and give it a name like “Conference Calendar Updater”

Running Manually

  1. After setting up the script, reload your Google Sheet
  2. You’ll see a new menu item called “Conference Tools”
  3. Click on Conference Tools → Import Top Conferences
  4. The first time you run it, you’ll need to authorize the script to:
    • Make external requests (to fetch the JSON)
    • Modify your spreadsheet

The script will then:

  • Fetch the latest conference data
  • Filter for top-rated venues
  • Update your sheet with the filtered data

Setting Up Automatic Updates

To have the script run automatically:

  1. In the Apps Script editor, click on the Triggers icon in the left sidebar (clock icon)
  2. Click the + Add Trigger button in the bottom right
  3. Configure the trigger:
    • Choose function: importTopCFPs
    • Event source: “Time-driven”
    • Type of time: Select “Day timer” for daily updates
    • Time of day: Choose when you want it to run
  4. Click Save

Now the script will run automatically on your specified schedule.

Troubleshooting

  • Check the Executions page in the Apps Script dashboard to see logs and any errors
  • If you get authorization errors, try running the function manually once to grant permissions
  • If the JSON format changes, you may need to update the script

Data Fields

The script writes the following fields to the sheet:

  1. conf_id: Conference identifier
  2. conf_name: Full name of the conference
  3. registration: Abstract submission deadline (formatted as DD/MM/YYYY)
  4. notification: Notification deadline (formatted as DD/MM/YYYY)
  5. tags: Conference topics/tags (semicolon-separated)
  6. website: Conference website URL