Download a spreadsheet from Google Docs using Python

Question

Can you produce a Python example of how to download a Google Docs spreadsheet given its key and worksheet ID (gid)? I can't.

I've scoured versions 1, 2 and 3 of the API. I'm having no luck, I can't figure out their compilcated ATOM-like feeds API, the gdata.docs.service.DocsService._DownloadFile private method says that I'm unauthorized, and I don't want to write an entire Google Login authentication system myself. I'm about to stab myself in the face due to frustration.

I have a few spreadsheets and I want to access them like so:

username = '[email protected]'
password = getpass.getpass()

def get_spreadsheet(key, gid=0):
    ... (help!) ...

for row in get_spreadsheet('5a3c7f7dcee4b4f'):
    cell1, cell2, cell3 = row
    ...

Please save my face.

---

Update 1: I've tried the following, but no combination of Download() or Export() seems to work. (Docs for DocsService here)

import gdata.docs.service
import getpass
import os
import tempfile
import csv

def get_csv(file_path):
  return csv.reader(file(file_path).readlines())

def get_spreadsheet(key, gid=0):
  gd_client = gdata.docs.service.DocsService()
  gd_client.email = '[email protected]'
  gd_client.password = getpass.getpass()
  gd_client.ssl = False
  gd_client.source = "My Fancy Spreadsheet Downloader"
  gd_client.ProgrammaticLogin()

  file_path = tempfile.mktemp(suffix='.csv')
  uri = 'http://docs.google.com/feeds/documents/private/full/%s' % key
  try:
    entry = gd_client.GetDocumentListEntry(uri)

    # XXXX - The following dies with RequestError "Unauthorized"
    gd_client.Download(entry, file_path)

    return get_csv(file_path)
  finally:
    try:
      os.remove(file_path)
    except OSError:
      pass

Answer 1

This isn't a complete answer, but Andreas Kahler wrote up an interesting CMS solution using Google Docs + Google App Engline + Python. Not having any experience in the area, I cannot see exactly what portion of the code may be of use to you, but check it out. I know it interfaces with a Google Docs account and plays with files, so I have a feeling you'll recognize what's going on. It should at least point you in the right direction.

Google AppEngine + Google Docs + Some Python = Simple CMS

Answer 2

You might try using the AuthSub method described in the Exporting Spreadsheets section of the documentation.

Get a separate login token for the spreadsheets service and substitue that for the export. Adding this to the get_spreadsheet code worked for me:

import gdata.spreadsheet.service

def get_spreadsheet(key, gid=0):
    # ...
    spreadsheets_client = gdata.spreadsheet.service.SpreadsheetsService()
    spreadsheets_client.email = gd_client.email
    spreadsheets_client.password = gd_client.password
    spreadsheets_client.source = "My Fancy Spreadsheet Downloader"
    spreadsheets_client.ProgrammaticLogin()

    # ...
    entry = gd_client.GetDocumentListEntry(uri)
    docs_auth_token = gd_client.GetClientLoginToken()
    gd_client.SetClientLoginToken(spreadsheets_client.GetClientLoginToken())
    gd_client.Export(entry, file_path)
    gd_client.SetClientLoginToken(docs_auth_token) # reset the DocList auth token

Notice I also used Export, as Download seems to give only PDF files.