A Google Spreadsheets change affecting TimelineJS users

Google recently changed something about their Sheets service which is causing many people to run into an error when they are making a new timeline.

Note: there should be no impact on existing timelines!

After this change, many of you click on the "preview" and get this message:

An unexpected error occurred trying to read your spreadsheet data [SyntaxError]
Timeline configuration has no events.

timeline_syntax_error

There is a straightforward work-around, but it requires those of you who have been making timelines for a while to change your habits.

It used to be the case that the URL in the Publish to the Web window was usable for "step 3" of the publishing process. As of today, that URL is different from the main spreadsheet URL, and if you use the URL from the Publish to the Web window, you'll get the error above.

spreadsheet_incorrect_url

Instead, disregard that URL, and instead, use the URL from your browser's address bar:

spreadsheet_correct_url

We're sorry for the inconvenience. Unfortunately, sometimes Google changes things on us.

About the author

Joe Germuska

Chief Nerd

Joey runs Knight Lab’s technology, professional staff and student fellows. Before joining us, Joe was on the Chicago Tribune News Apps team. He's the project lead for CensusReporter.org and a board member of City Bureau.

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