Description
Pay Once, Use Forever
StudyStacks: Instant Card Automation for Google Docs
StudyStacks is a powerful Google Docs extension designed to save teachers hours of manual formatting. Whether you are creating vocabulary flashcards, "Task Cards" for stations, or sorting activities, StudyStacks takes any simple list and transforms it into a perfectly aligned, print-ready grid with a single click.
How to Use StudyStacks
- Prepare Your List: Type your content in a Google Doc.
- For Single-Sided: Each bullet point or paragraph becomes one card.
- For Double-Sided: Line 1 is the Front, Line 2 is the Back, Line 3 is the Front, and so on.
- Launch the Tool: Go to the StudyStacks menu and click Launch StudyStacks.
- Design Your Deck: Use the Sidebar to set your card dimensions, font size, and "Gutter Gap" (the space between cards for easy cutting).
- Generate & Print: Click Build Stack. A preview window will open showing your perfectly laid-out cards.
- Note: When the print dialog opens, set Margins to "None" and Scale to "100" for a perfect fit.
Pro Tips for Teachers
- The "Gutter" Secret: Set your Gutter Gap to at least 15px if you are using a paper trimmer. This gives you a "safe zone" to cut so you don't accidentally slice into the text of the neighboring card.
- Perfect Duplexing: If printing double-sided, always select "Flip on Long Edge" in your printer settings. StudyStacks automatically "mirrors" the back-side grid so that Card 1 Front and Card 1 Back align perfectly when the paper is flipped.
- Cardstock is King: For the best results, print your StudyStacks on 65lb or 110lb cardstock. Since the script handles the alignment, you’ll get professional-feeling cards that last the whole school year.
- Visual Organization: Use the "Extra Rounded" corner setting for "Sort" activities and "Square" corners for traditional flashcards to help students visually distinguish between different sets of materials.
Technical NoteUpon first use, Google will ask for permission to run the script. Because StudyStacks uses the @OnlyCurrentDoc security standard, it only has access to the specific document you are working on, ensuring your data remains private and secure.
**Important: Initial Setup & Permissions**
Because StudyStacks is a custom productivity tool, Google requires a one-time authorization to allow the script to format your document. You will see a screen stating that the app is "unverified"—this is normal for private scripts.
To get started, follow these 4 quick steps:
- Select your Account: When prompted, click on your Google email address.
- Click "Advanced": On the "Google hasn't verified this app" screen, look for the small Advanced link in the bottom left.
- Go to StudyStacks: Click the link at the bottom that says Go to StudyStacks (unsafe).
- Note: Google labels all unverified scripts as "unsafe," but StudyStacks only accesses the document you currently have open.
- Allow: Click the blue Allow button.
- Make your first Stack
Highlights
Description
Pay Once, Use Forever
StudyStacks: Instant Card Automation for Google Docs
StudyStacks is a powerful Google Docs extension designed to save teachers hours of manual formatting. Whether you are creating vocabulary flashcards, "Task Cards" for stations, or sorting activities, StudyStacks takes any simple list and transforms it into a perfectly aligned, print-ready grid with a single click.
How to Use StudyStacks
- Prepare Your List: Type your content in a Google Doc.
- For Single-Sided: Each bullet point or paragraph becomes one card.
- For Double-Sided: Line 1 is the Front, Line 2 is the Back, Line 3 is the Front, and so on.
- Launch the Tool: Go to the StudyStacks menu and click Launch StudyStacks.
- Design Your Deck: Use the Sidebar to set your card dimensions, font size, and "Gutter Gap" (the space between cards for easy cutting).
- Generate & Print: Click Build Stack. A preview window will open showing your perfectly laid-out cards.
- Note: When the print dialog opens, set Margins to "None" and Scale to "100" for a perfect fit.
Pro Tips for Teachers
- The "Gutter" Secret: Set your Gutter Gap to at least 15px if you are using a paper trimmer. This gives you a "safe zone" to cut so you don't accidentally slice into the text of the neighboring card.
- Perfect Duplexing: If printing double-sided, always select "Flip on Long Edge" in your printer settings. StudyStacks automatically "mirrors" the back-side grid so that Card 1 Front and Card 1 Back align perfectly when the paper is flipped.
- Cardstock is King: For the best results, print your StudyStacks on 65lb or 110lb cardstock. Since the script handles the alignment, you’ll get professional-feeling cards that last the whole school year.
- Visual Organization: Use the "Extra Rounded" corner setting for "Sort" activities and "Square" corners for traditional flashcards to help students visually distinguish between different sets of materials.
Technical NoteUpon first use, Google will ask for permission to run the script. Because StudyStacks uses the @OnlyCurrentDoc security standard, it only has access to the specific document you are working on, ensuring your data remains private and secure.
**Important: Initial Setup & Permissions**
Because StudyStacks is a custom productivity tool, Google requires a one-time authorization to allow the script to format your document. You will see a screen stating that the app is "unverified"—this is normal for private scripts.
To get started, follow these 4 quick steps:
- Select your Account: When prompted, click on your Google email address.
- Click "Advanced": On the "Google hasn't verified this app" screen, look for the small Advanced link in the bottom left.
- Go to StudyStacks: Click the link at the bottom that says Go to StudyStacks (unsafe).
- Note: Google labels all unverified scripts as "unsafe," but StudyStacks only accesses the document you currently have open.
- Allow: Click the blue Allow button.
- Make your first Stack
