Update H3 paragraphs in Docs to normal text

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To create a Google Apps Script that changes paragraphs styled as Heading 3 (H3) to regular paragraphs in a Google Doc, unless they end with a question mark (in which case they are left as H3), you can follow these steps. This script uses Google Apps Script, a Javascript-based platform that lets you extend Google Apps and create custom functionality.

  1. Open your Google Doc: Open the Google Doc you want to modify.
  2. Open Script Editor: Go to Extensions > Apps Script. This opens the Apps Script editor in a new tab.
  3. Replace the Code: In the Apps Script editor, delete any code in the editor and replace it with the following script:
  4. Save and Name Your Project: Click on File > Save, and give your project a name.
  5. Run the Script: Click on the play/run button (▶️) next to the changeH3ToNormal function in the Apps Script editor to run your script. You might need to authorize the script to run under your Google account the first time.
  6. Authorize the Script: Follow the on-screen instructions to grant the necessary permissions. You might see a warning that the script isn’t verified. This is normal for scripts you’ve created yourself. Click on Advanced and then Go to [YourProjectName] (unsafe) to proceed with the authorization.

After running the script, all paragraphs in your document that were styled as Heading 3 and do not end with a question mark will be changed to regular paragraphs. Paragraphs styled as Heading 3 that end with a question mark will remain unchanged.

function changeH3ToNormal() {
  var doc = DocumentApp.openById(DOCID);
  var body = doc.getBody();
  var paragraphs = body.getParagraphs();

  paragraphs.forEach(function(paragraph) {
    // Check if the paragraph's heading is HEADING3
    if (paragraph.getHeading() === DocumentApp.ParagraphHeading.HEADING3) {
      var text = paragraph.getText();
      // Check if the text ends with a question mark
      if (text.endsWith('?')) {
        // If it ends with a question mark, do nothing (keep it as HEADING3)
      } else {
        // If it does not end with a question mark, change it to normal text
        paragraph.setHeading(DocumentApp.ParagraphHeading.NORMAL);
      }
    }
  });
}