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Oracle APEX Integration with Gmail Notifications using Google Apps Script

APEX Integration with Gmail Notifications


Introduction

In many Oracle APEX applications, users want to see Gmail notifications directly within the application without opening Gmail.

In this article, we will build a Gmail notification badge that displays the number of unread emails in the APEX Navigation Bar.

Final Output

  • Notification bell in the Navigation Bar
  • Displays unread Gmail count
  • Automatically refreshes every 60 seconds
  • Works across the entire APEX application using the Global Page (Page 0)

Architecture

Gmail
↓
Google Apps Script
↓
REST Web App
↓
Oracle APEX (Page 0)
↓
Navigation Bar Badge

Prerequisites

  • Oracle APEX (Works on apex.oracle.com)
  • Personal Gmail account
  • Google Apps Script
  • Internet access

1Create a Google Apps Script Project

  • Open https://script.google.com/
  • Click New Project.
  • Rename the project.
    Ex: APEX Gmail Notification

2Write the Google Apps Script

Replace the default code with the following:

function doGet(e) {
  if (!e || !e.parameter || e.parameter.key !== "MySecret123") {
    return ContentService
      .createTextOutput("Unauthorized")
      .setMimeType(ContentService.MimeType.TEXT);
  }
  var threads = GmailApp.search("is:unread", 0, 500);
  return ContentService
    .createTextOutput(
      JSON.stringify({
        unreadCount: threads.length
      })
    )
    .setMimeType(ContentService.MimeType.JSON);
}

Code Explanation

  • Checks the security key passed in the URL.
  • Searches for unread Gmail conversations.
  • Returns the unread count as JSON.

3Deploy the Script

Deploy > New Deployment > Step 3: Deploy the Script

PropertyValue
Execute AsMe
Who has accessAnyone

4Authorize the Script

  • Choose your Gmail account.
  • Advanced > Go to <Project Name> (unsafe) > Allow

5Copy the Web App URL

https://script.google.com/macros/s/AKfycbxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/exec

6Test the URL

Append the secret key:

https://script.google.com/macros/s/AKfycbxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/exec?key=MySecretKey

Output:

{
    "unreadCount":5
}

7Create static content on Global Page in Oracle APEX

  • Slot: After Logo
  • Template: Blank with attributes

8Paste the following HTML to the region

<div id="gmailNotification" class="gmail-notification">
    <span class="fa fa-bell"></span>
    <span id="gmailBadge" class="gmail-badge" style="display:none;"></span>
</div>

9Using below JS code under <Script> tag

function loadGmailCount(){
    fetch("YOUR_SCRIPT_URL?key=MySecret123")
    .then(response => response.json())
    .then(data => {
        var count = data.unreadCount || 0;
        if(count > 0){
            $("#gmailBadge")
                .text(count)
                .show();
        }else{
            $("#gmailBadge").hide();
        }
    })
    .catch(function(err){
        console.log(err);
    });
}
loadGmailCount();
setInterval(loadGmailCount,60000);

10Run the application

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