Convert a Google Drive image URL to a direct link via the Google Sheets connector

You are using Google Drive to host your images and want to use the Google Sheets connector to import your content?

A manipulation is necessary to allow you to automatically generate usable links for your images, so they can be added correctly in Wemap Pro.

E.g.: if you want to import specific images for your points on Wemap Pro and these images are stored on Google Drive, each one must have a specific link to be used.

🧮 Option 1: Use a formula in Google Sheets

You can automatically transform a Google Drive link into a direct displayable link via a formula in your file.

E.g.:

• Classic Google Drive link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/IDIMAGE/view?usp=sharing

• Direct link:

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=IDIMAGE

🧰 Procedure:

In Google Sheets:

1. Add a new empty column next to the one containing your Google Drive links

E.g.: if your links are in column C, create your new column D.

2. Paste the following formula into the first empty cell of the new column

E.g.: in cell D2, with D1 being the one containing the column label.

=IF(REGEXMATCH(C2, "drive.google.com\/file\/d\/"), "https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=" & REGEXEXTRACT(C2, "[-\w]{25,}"), "")

3. Drag the cell down to apply the formula to all rows.

4. Use this new column, with the direct links, for display in your tools (map, database...).

💻 Option 2: Automate with a script

If you prefer a method without formulas (simpler in the long term), you can add a script to your Google Sheets file.

It will automatically detect any new link pasted in a column and generate a direct link in the relevant column.

🧰 Procedure:

In Google Sheets:

1. Click on "Extensions" > "Apps Script".

2. Delete all existing content and paste the following script:

function onEdit(e) {
  const sheet = e.source.getActiveSheet();
  const range = e.range;

  const sourceColumn = 3;
  const targetColumn = 4;

  if (range.getColumn() === sourceColumn && range.getRow() > 1) {
    const driveUrl = range.getValue();
    const outputCell = sheet.getRange(range.getRow(), targetColumn);

    const regex = /https:\/\/drive\.google\.com\/file\/d\/([-\w]{25,})/;
    const match = driveUrl.match(regex);

    if (match) {
      const fileId = match[1];
      const directUrl = `https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=${fileId}`;
      outputCell.setValue(directUrl);
    } else {
      outputCell.setValue("");
    }
  }
}

3. Click on "Save" and give a name to the project.

E.g.: "DriveLinksConversion".

➡️ Each time a Google Drive link is added to the source column, a direct link is automatically generated in the adjacent column.