Technical Support: Programmatic Update of Data Source for Linked Tables in Google Docs

[Sudhanshu Chaudhary]

Dear Technical Support Team,

I am writing regarding a specific technical roadblock encountered when using Google Apps Script and the Google Docs API to automate reporting.

The Goal

Our workflow involves duplicating a "Template Sheet" and a "Template Document" using DriveApp.makeCopy(). Our objective is to programmatically update the Linked Table within the new Document copy so that its source points to the newly created Spreadsheet copy instead of the original Template.

The Issue

We have been unable to find a supported method to change the source Spreadsheet ID of a linked table via the API. While we can manually use the "Linked objects" > "Change source" feature in the Document UI, we need to achieve this programmatically to maintain an automated workflow.

Specifically:

Metadata Visibility: We are unable to successfully identify or update the internal source ID for linked tables in a way that triggers a data refresh in the Document UI.

UI Desync: Even after attempting to refresh the document metadata via scripts, the "Update" button does not appear, and the document continues to reference the original template ID.

Preservation of Formatting: We must maintain the original table's complex formatting, including merged cells and specific column widths, which makes "deleting and recreating" the table from scratch an unviable solution.

Questions for Support

Is there a specific method in the Google Docs REST API or Google Apps Script to re-bind an existing linked table to a different Spreadsheet ID after a file has been copied?

What is the recommended "best practice" for duplicating a Doc-Sheet pair while ensuring the live link remains functional between the two new copies?

I look forward to your guidance on this matter.

Best regards,

Sudhanshu