Google Apps Script: Add and removed Google Sheets columns based on a search array

Google Apps Script: V8 engine, map, filter, reduce, includes, 2d arrays, matrix

Have you ever wanted to delete or add columns in a Google Sheet, based on another set of Sheet data?

I know I have.

There have been a number of instances where I wanted to insert new columns or removed unused columns in large Google Sheets projects with Google Apps Script.

In the past, I have dynamically set headers based on something like an IMPORTRANGE or FILTER, or simply from an array ({}) from another sheet tab or Google Sheet. However, when I update the original data the headers change but all the data underneath them does not move along to the updated column with it.

Now all my data is not lined up with the header! As you can imagine, this creates some serious problems.

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to use Google Apps Script to update your headers based on another sheets values. These sheets values can come from the current Google Sheet workbook or another one. We will also ensure that the data below the headers is migrated along with the new header location.

Take a look at the visual example below:

Add removes columns based on a search array visual example

As always, read as much or as little as you need to get the job done or learn the skill. 

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