Template-Based Google Drive Folder Generation with Forms and Apps Script Workflow Solution

Workflow overview

Why this workflow matters

Useful for software delivery and engineering operations. Supports knowledge capture and document intelligence use cases.

Overview Stop manually creating folder structures for every new client or project. This workflow provides a simple form where users enter a name, and automatically duplicates your template folder structure in Google Drive—replacing all placeholders with the submitted name. What This Workflow Does Displays a form where users enter a name (client, project, event, etc.) Creates a new main folder in Google Drive Calls Google Apps Script to duplicate your entire template structure Replaces all {{NAME}} placeholders in files and folder names Key Features Simple form interface** — No technical knowledge required to use Recursive duplication** — Copies all subfolders and files Smart placeholders** — Automatically replaces {{NAME}} everywhere Production-ready** — Works immediately after setup Prerequisites Google Drive account with OAuth2 credentials in AlekSystem Google Apps Script deployment (code below) Template folder in Drive using {{NAME}} as placeholder Setup Step 1: Create your template folder 📁 {{NAME}} - Project Files ├── 📁 01. {{NAME}} - Documents ├── 📁 02. {{NAME}} - Assets ├── 📁 03. Deliverables └── 📄 {{NAME}} - Brief.gdoc Step 2: Deploy Apps Script Go to script.google.com Create new project → Paste code below Deploy → New deployment → Web app Execute as: Me | Access: Anyone Copy the deployment URL Step 3: Configure workflow Replace these placeholders: DESTINATION_PARENT_FOLDER_ID — Where new folders are created YOUR_APPS_SCRIPT_URL — URL from Step 2 YOUR_TEMPLATE_FOLDER_ID — Folder to duplicate Step 4: Test Activate workflow → Open form URL → Submit a name → Check Drive! Apps Script Code function doPost(e) { try { var params = e.parameter; var templateFolderId = params.templateFolderId; var name = params.name; var destinationFolderId = params.destinationFolderId; if (!templateFolderId || !name) { return jsonResponse({ success: false, error: 'Missing required parameters: templateFolderId and name are required' }); } var templateFolder = DriveApp.getFolderById(templateFolderId); if (destinationFolderId) { var destinationFolder = DriveApp.getFolderById(destinationFolderId); copyContentsRecursively(templateFolder, destinationFolder, name); return jsonResponse({ success: true, id: destinationFolder.getId(), url: destinationFolder.getUrl(), name: destinationFolder.getName(), mode: 'copied_to_existing', timestamp: new Date().toISOString() }); } else { var parentFolder = templateFolder.getParents().next(); var newFolderName = replacePlaceholders(templateFolder.getName(), name); var newFolder = parentFolder.createFolder(newFolderName); copyContentsRecursively(templateFolder, newFolder, name); return jsonResponse({ success: true, id: newFolder.getId(), url: newFolder.getUrl(), name: newFolder.getName(), mode: 'created_new', timestamp: new Date().toISOString() }); } } catch (error) { return jsonResponse({ success: false, error: error.toString() }); } } function replacePlaceholders(text, name) { var result = text; result = result.replace(/\{\{NAME\}\}/g, name); result = result.replace(/\{\{name\}\}/g, name.toLowerCase()); result = result.replace(/\{\{Name\}\}/g, name); return result; } function copyContentsRecursively(sourceFolder, destinationFolder, name) { var files = sourceFolder.getFiles(); while (files.hasNext()) { try { var file = files.next(); var newFileName = replacePlaceholders(file.getName(), name); file.makeCopy(newFileName, destinationFolder); Utilities.sleep(150); } catch (error) { Logger.log('Error copying file: ' + error.toString()); } } var subfolders = sourceFolder.getFolders(); while (subfolders.hasNext()) { try { var subfolder = subfolders.next(); var newSubfolderName = replacePlaceholders(subfolder.getName(), name); var newSubfolder = destinationFolder.createFolder(newSubfolderName); Utilities.sleep(200); copyContentsRecursively(subfolder, newSubfolder, name); } catch (error) { Logger.log('Error copying subfolder: ' + error.toString()); } } } function jsonResponse(data) { return ContentService .createTextOutput(JSON.stringify(data)) .setMimeType(ContentService.MimeType.JSON); } Use Cases Agencies** — Client folder structure on new signup Freelancers** — Project folders from intake form HR Teams** — Employee onboarding folders Schools** — Student portfolio folders Event Planners** — Event documentation folders Notes Apps Script may take +60 seconds for large structures Timeout is set to 5 minutes for complex templates Your Google account needs edit access to template and destination folders

Best fit

Need another direction?