TASK_TRANSCRIBE

Function Overview

The TASK_TRANSCRIBE function transcribes audio or video files from Google Drive using the Deepgram API. This powerful function automatically converts spoken content to text and can either place the transcription directly in your spreadsheet or create a Google Doc with the transcribed content.

Uses

1. Transcribe meeting recordings to create searchable text records
2. Convert lecture audio to written notes for study or reference
3. Extract speech content from video presentations for documentation
4. Create transcripts of interviews for analysis or quotation
5. Generate accessible text versions of audio content
6. Process voiceovers from multimedia projects into text scripts
7. Extract dialogue from video content for subtitling or translation
8. Convert voice memos into text format for easier editing and sharing
9. Transcribe podcast episodes to create show notes or article content
10. Document verbal feedback or testimonials in text form

Syntax and Parameters

=TASK_TRANSCRIBE(header, file_link_cell, [output_doc_name], [celladdress])

Parameter	Data Type	Required	Description
header	string	Yes	Column header for the task template. This appears in the first row of the output.
file_link_cell	string	Yes	The cell containing the link to the file to transcribe (e.g., "A1"). You should copy (ctrl+c) the file from Google Drive and paste in the referenced cell.
output_doc_name	string	No	Optional. The name of the output Google Doc to create with the transcription result (e.g., "Transcription Result").
celladdress	string	No	Optional. The cell address to place the result (e.g., "C1"). If not specified, the cell to the right of the function cell is used.

Advanced Options

File Requirements and Formats

• Supports common audio formats like MP3, WAV, M4A, and video formats like MP4
• The file must be stored in Google Drive and accessible to your Google account
• You must bring the files you want to transcribe into the sheet first by using the file picker (use the drive icon in the sidebar or select it from the integration menu)
• For best results, use clear audio with minimal background noise
• The file reference cell should contain a Google Drive link to the audio/video file imported as explained above

Output to Google Doc

When you specify an output_doc_name parameter:

• A new Google Doc is created with the transcription as its content
• The Doc is stored in the "Sheetworkflows/Docs" folder in your Google Drive
• A hyperlink to the document is placed in the output cell for easy access
• The transcription in the Doc maintains paragraph breaks from natural speech pauses

Transcription Engine

• TASK_TRANSCRIBE uses the Deepgram API for high-quality speech recognition
• Automatic language detection is enabled to work with multiple languages
• The whisper-large model is used for optimal accuracy across different accents and audio qualities

Examples

Basic transcription to a cell

=TASK_TRANSCRIBE("Meeting Transcription", "A1")

The transcription of the audio file linked in cell A1 appears in the cell to the right. Click "Run" in the sidebar to execute.

Transcription to a specific cell

=TASK_TRANSCRIBE("Interview Transcript", "B5", , "D5")

The transcription of the audio file linked in cell B5 is placed in cell D5 when you click "Run" in the sidebar.

Creating a Google Doc with the transcription

=TASK_TRANSCRIBE("Lecture Notes", "C3", "Physics Lecture Oct 2024")

A Google Doc named "Physics Lecture Oct 2024" is created with the transcription, and a hyperlink appears in the cell to the right of the formula.

Complete example with all parameters

=TASK_TRANSCRIBE("Podcast Episode", "E7", "Podcast Transcript EP45", "G7")

Transcribes the audio file linked in cell E7, creates a Google Doc named "Podcast Transcript EP45", and places a hyperlink to the Doc in cell G7.

Best Practices

• Click the Run button in the Sheet Workflows sidebar after entering the function to execute it
• You can use an additional TASK_LM column after transcribing to format the transcript.
• Use high-quality audio recordings with minimal background noise for better transcription accuracy
• Ensure your Deepgram API key is properly configured in the Sheet Workflows settings
• For longer audio files, use the output_doc_name parameter to create a Google Doc, as transcriptions can exceed cell size limits
• Test with short audio clips first to verify your setup and API configuration
• Use descriptive headers and document names to easily identify and organize your transcriptions
• Provide direct Google Drive links in the file_link_cell to ensure proper file access
• For multilingual content, verify that Deepgram supports the specific language(s) in your audio

Troubleshooting

Error: Invalid JSON

Cause: The function output was modified manually or corrupted.
Solution: Recreate the function with =TASK_TRANSCRIBE().

Error: Missing file link

Cause: The file_link_cell parameter is empty or the cell doesn't contain a valid link.
Solution: Ensure you've specified a valid cell reference and that the cell contains a Google Drive link to an audio or video file.

Error: Invalid function name

Cause: The JSON has been modified and no longer contains "TASK_TRANSCRIBE" as the function name.
Solution: Recreate the function with =TASK_TRANSCRIBE().

Error: Cell address not found

Cause: The specified celladdress doesn't exist or is invalid.
Solution: Check the cell address format and ensure it exists in the spreadsheet.

Error: Deepgram API key missing

Cause: The Deepgram API key is not configured or is invalid.
Solution: Configure your Deepgram API key in the Sheet Workflows sidebar under Settings.

Error: Transcription failed

Cause: The audio file couldn't be processed, possibly due to format issues, corrupt file, or network problems.
Solution: Check that the file is a supported audio/video format, ensure it's not corrupted, and verify your internet connection.

Error: File access denied

Cause: The system couldn't access the file in Google Drive.
Solution: Ensure the file has proper sharing permissions and is accessible to your Google account.

Error: Creating Google Doc failed

Cause: There was an issue creating the Google Doc with the transcription.
Solution: Check your Drive permissions and available storage space, or try using a different document name.

FAQ

How do I set up the Deepgram API key?

Open the Sheet Workflows sidebar, go to Settings, select "Deepgram" from the providers list, and enter your API key. You can get a Deepgram API key by signing up at https://deepgram.com .

How long can my audio files be?

Deepgram can handle files up to several hours long, but for very large files, processing may take longer. For optimal performance, consider breaking very long recordings into smaller segments.

What languages does the transcription support?

Deepgram's whisper-large model supports multiple languages with automatic language detection. Best results are typically achieved with English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Arabic, among others.

Where is the transcribed text stored?

If you don't specify an output_doc_name, the transcription is placed directly in the output cell in your spreadsheet. If you specify an output_doc_name, a Google Doc is created in the "Sheetworkflows/Docs" folder in your Google Drive, and a hyperlink to that document appears in the output cell.

Can I transcribe files stored outside Google Drive?

No, the file must be accessible via Google Drive. If your file is stored elsewhere, you'll need to upload it to Google Drive first, then paste the link in the referenced cell.

How do I run the function after entering it?

After entering the TASK_TRANSCRIBE function, select the cell and click the "Run" button in the Sheet Workflows sidebar. The function itself only generates the task definition JSON.

Does this work with video files too?

Yes, TASK_TRANSCRIBE works with both audio and video files. For video files, it extracts and transcribes the audio track.

How accurate is the transcription?

Transcription accuracy depends on audio quality, clarity of speech, accents, and background noise. The whisper-large model used by Deepgram provides strong results for clear audio but may have difficulty with poor quality recordings or heavy accents.

Can I process multiple audio files at once?

Yes, you can create multiple TASK_TRANSCRIBE functions in different cells, select all of them, and use the "Run Selection" option in the sidebar to process them in batch.

How long does transcription take?

Processing time depends on the length of the audio file and current API load. Short clips (under a minute) usually process in seconds, while longer recordings may take several minutes.

Can I edit the transcription after it's created?

Yes, if you use the output_doc_name parameter to create a Google Doc, you can edit the document directly. If the transcription is placed in a cell, you can edit it like any other cell content.

What happens if my audio contains multiple speakers?

The basic transcription will capture all speech but won't distinguish between speakers. For speaker diarization (identifying who said what), you can use an additional TASK_LM step to format the output.