TASK_TRANSCRIBE - Transcribing Audio and Video Files

Function Overview

The TASK_TRANSCRIBE function allows you to transcribe audio and video files from Google Drive using Deepgram's advanced AI transcription technology. This function simplifies the process of converting spoken content into text, making it accessible and searchable within your Google Sheets workflows.

With TASK_TRANSCRIBE, you can easily transform interviews, meetings, lectures, and other audio or video content into accurate text transcripts without leaving your spreadsheet. The function processes the file and can place the transcript directly into a cell or create a well-formatted Google Doc with the transcript.

Uses

1. Meeting Transcription: Convert recorded meetings into searchable text.

2. Interview Processing: Transcribe interview recordings for analysis.

3. Content Creation: Turn podcasts or video scripts into editable text.

4. Research: Extract information from audio lectures or presentations.

5. Accessibility: Make audio content accessible by providing text alternatives.

Syntax and Parameters

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

Advanced Options

Using Output Documentation

When you provide an

output_doc_name

• Longer Transcriptions: When the text is too large to conveniently work with in a spreadsheet cell

• Sharing with Others: The Google Doc can be easily shared with team members

• Formatting and Editing: The Google Doc allows for better readability and editing capabilities

Example with output document:

=TASK_TRANSCRIBE("A1", "Project Meeting Notes")

The function will create the document in a folder path:

sheetworkflows/docs/

Specifying Cell Output Location

By default, the transcription is placed in the cell to the right of the function. However, you can control the exact placement by using the

celladdress

=TASK_TRANSCRIBE("A1", "Interview Transcript", "E5")

This gives you flexibility in how you organize your sheet, allowing you to design more complex workflows that make sense for your specific use case.

Combining Both Options

For maximum flexibility, you can use both the output document and custom cell address:

=TASK_TRANSCRIBE("A1", "Customer Interview", "D10")

This will create a Google Doc named "Customer Interview" and place a hyperlink to that document in cell D10.

Examples

Basic Transcription

1. Import a file from Google Drive using the "Import files from drive" feature.

2. The imported file will appear as a link in a cell (let's say cell A2).

3. In another cell, enter:

   =TASK_TRANSCRIBE("A2")

4. Click the Run button in the sidebar.

5. The transcription will appear in the cell to the right of your function.

Creating a Dedicated Transcript Document

1. Import a video file from Google Drive to cell B3.

2. In another cell, enter:

   =TASK_TRANSCRIBE("B3", "Team Meeting June 15")

3. Click the Run button.

4. A Google Doc named "Team Meeting June 15" will be created with the full transcript.

5. A hyperlink to this document will appear in the cell to the right of your function.

Organizing Multiple Transcriptions

For a sheet tracking multiple recordings:

1. Column A: Recording names

2. Column B: Imported Google Drive links to recordings

3. Column D: Enter

   =TASK_TRANSCRIBE("B2", A2, "E2")

   (uses the name in column A as the doc name)

4. Copy this formula down for each row

5. Run each row's function to create individual documents for each recording

6. Column E will contain links to each transcription document

Best Practices

• File Size and Quality: Smaller audio files (under 50MB) process more quickly. Better audio quality yields more accurate transcriptions.

• File Naming: Use descriptive file names for your audio/video files to easily identify them later.

• Organizing Results: Consider creating a separate sheet for your transcription functions to keep your workflow organized.

• Batch Processing: Process files one at a time rather than running multiple transcriptions simultaneously to avoid overloading the system.

• Check Configuration: Ensure your Deepgram API key is properly configured in the Sheet Workflows settings before using this function.

• File Format Support: Most common audio and video formats are supported (MP3, MP4, WAV, M4A, AAC, etc.).

• File Access: Make sure that Sheet Workflows has access to the files you want to transcribe. Always import files using the "Import files from drive" feature.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

1. "Error: Deepgram API key is not set in the configuration"

   • Solution: Go to the Sheet Workflows sidebar, click on Settings, and enter your Deepgram API key in the appropriate field.

2. "No hyperlink found in the cell"

   • Solution: Make sure you've imported the file using the "Import files from drive" feature rather than just pasting a link.

3. "Error accessing or copying the file"

   • Solution: Verify that the file exists in your Google Drive and that you have permission to access it.

4. "Error transcribing audio"

   • Solution: Check that the file is a valid audio or video format. Try a different file to see if the issue persists.

5. The function runs but returns no text

   • Solution: The audio may not contain recognizable speech, or the quality may be too poor for transcription.

FAQ

Q: Do I need a Deepgram account to use this feature?

A: Yes, you need to create a Deepgram account and obtain an API key. Deepgram offers a free tier with $200 in free credit, which is sufficient for many users' needs.

Q: How do I get my files from Google Drive into the spreadsheet?

A: Use the "Import files from drive" feature in the Sheet Workflows addon. This grants the addon access to the files using the Picker API.

Q: How accurate is the transcription?

A: Accuracy depends on audio quality, clarity of speech, background noise, and accents. In ideal conditions, Deepgram can achieve high accuracy, but results may vary.

Q: What languages are supported?

A: The function uses Deepgram's language detection feature, which supports numerous languages including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and many others.

Q: Is there a limit to how many files I can transcribe?

A: The limit depends on your Deepgram API usage quotas. Check the Deepgram dashboard for your current usage and limits.

Q: Can I transcribe files not stored in Google Drive?

A: No, the function only works with files in Google Drive that have been imported using the "Import files from drive" feature.

Q: Where are the generated Google Docs stored?

A: The documents are stored in a folder path

sheetworkflows/docs/

Q: What happens if I run the function on the same file multiple times?

A: Each run creates a new transcription and, if specified, a new Google Doc.