Convert a Google Drive Folder to PDF on a Schedule
Scheduled Drive-to-PDF exports work best for recurring deliverables: weekly reports, monthly archives, or nightly data exports. Google Apps Script supports time-based triggers that run the export automatically at the interval you choose, with no manual involvement required.
Creating a scheduled Apps Script trigger
Write your folder export function in Apps Script, then click 'Triggers' in the left menu. Add a new trigger, select your function, and choose the frequency: hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly. Confirm the trigger. The script will run at the scheduled time without any action from you.
Saving PDFs to a timestamped folder
Modify the script to create a new destination folder named with the current date before each export. For example, 'Exports 2026-03-13'. This creates a versioned archive where each scheduled run produces a dated folder of PDFs.
Getting notified when the export runs
Add a MailApp.sendEmail() call at the end of the script to send a summary email after each scheduled run. Include the folder name, number of files converted, and any errors. This lets you confirm the export ran without logging into Drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I schedule the Docs to PDF Chrome extension?
No. The Chrome extension requires user interaction. For scheduled, unattended exports, use Google Apps Script.
How often can a scheduled Apps Script trigger run?
Apps Script triggers can run as frequently as every minute. For most folder export workflows, daily or weekly is sufficient.
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