Why updates work this way
The fiveanddime app on your phone updates automatically (the next time you open it, you get the new version). But the backend piece — the part that runs inside your Google spreadsheet — is a copy you own, and Google's library system requires you to opt-in to each new version. That keeps your data inside your own Google account instead of routing through anyone else's server, but it does mean a small two-click step on your end when there's a meaningful change.
The app watches for this and tells you when it's time. You'll see a colored card at the top of Settings. Cards only show when something needs your attention; if Settings looks normal, you're caught up.
What you'll need
- Your phone or tablet with the fiveanddime app installed. This is where you see the update card with the instructions.
- Your computer with a browser. This is where you actually do the two clicks, because Google's spreadsheet editor isn't designed for phones.
- About 5 minutes.
If you only have a computer (no phone with the app), you can do everything in a browser on the computer — open the app at fiveanddime.tools/app/ in one tab and the spreadsheet in another. The flow is the same.
Step 1: Find the update card on your phone
Open fiveanddime, tap Settings
On your phone or tablet, open the fiveanddime app. Tap the Settings tab at the bottom.
If you'd just opened the app for the first time after the new version dropped, close and reopen it once more — the first reopen installs the new version, the second one serves it. (You'll only ever need to do this once per update.)
Look for the blue card at the top of Settings
If an update is available, you'll see a blue card titled Update available with a short message about which library version you're on and which one's the latest. Tap "Show me how" on the card to expand the step-by-step instructions.
Leave this card visible while you switch to your computer for the next steps. You'll be following along.
frontend/tutorials/images/updates_banner_lib.jpg
Step 2: Two clicks in your spreadsheet editor (on your computer)
Switch to your computer. Open your fiveanddime spreadsheet in a browser. The instructions in the blue card on your phone match what's below, with extra screenshots here.
Click 1 (set the version) is on the Libraries screen. Click 2 (redeploy) is on the Manage deployments screen. The most common mix-up is redeploying without first changing the version on the Libraries screen — that just re-ships the old version and the update card stays put. Do Click 1, then Click 2.
Open the Apps Script editor
In your spreadsheet, click the Extensions menu at the top, then Apps Script. A new tab opens with the script editor.
frontend/tutorials/images/appsscript_open.jpg
Click Libraries in the left sidebar
In the Apps Script editor, the left sidebar has several icons. Click Libraries (it looks like a small bookshelf icon, second or third from the top). The list of attached libraries appears — you should see one called FiveAndDimeLib.
frontend/tutorials/images/appsscript_libraries.jpg
Change the version (Click 1 of 2)
Click FiveAndDimeLib. A panel slides out on the right with details about the library. Find the Version dropdown and change it to the number shown on your phone's update card (the latest version). Click Save.
frontend/tutorials/images/appsscript_version_dropdown.jpg
Redeploy your Web App (Click 2 of 2)
In the top right of the Apps Script editor, click Deploy, then Manage deployments. A dialog opens listing your existing deployments — there should be just one.
frontend/tutorials/images/appsscript_deploy_manage.jpg
Click the pencil edit icon on your deployment. In the dialog that appears, the Version dropdown will likely say a version number — change it to New version. Click Deploy.
frontend/tutorials/images/appsscript_edit_deployment.jpg
The URL of your Web App needs to stay the same — that's what the app on your phone uses to talk to your spreadsheet. Editing the existing deployment keeps that URL intact. Creating a new deployment would give you a new URL the app doesn't know about.
Step 3: Confirm on your phone
Tap "I've updated, check again"
Switch back to your phone. On the blue update card, tap I've updated, check again. The app talks to your backend, sees the new version, and the blue card disappears.
If a yellow card appears, tap "Update my sheet now"
Sometimes an update adds new columns to one of your spreadsheet's data sheets. If so, a yellow card titled with something like "Update Bundles sheet" appears after the blue card disappears. Tap Update my sheet now.
The app calls your backend, which adds the new columns to your sheet without touching any of your existing data. After a second or two, the card disappears. Done.
frontend/tutorials/images/updates_banner_migration.jpg
Troubleshooting
I tapped "check again" but the blue card is still there
Most likely cause: you changed the library version (Click 1) but didn't redeploy the Web App (Click 2). Both clicks are necessary — the library version pin only affects future deployments, and your existing Web App is still running the old library version until you redeploy. Go back to your computer's Apps Script editor and double-check Click 2.
The card itself updates with this hint when it detects you're still on the old version after a recheck.
I don't see any cards at all in Settings
Either you're already up to date (great, nothing to do), or the new app code hasn't loaded yet. Close and reopen the app once more. If you're sure there's an update available and the card still isn't showing, try clearing the app's stored data (long-press the app icon on your phone → app info → storage → clear). Then sign back in.
The Deploy dialog asks me to authorize, or something looks scary
That's normal. Google sometimes re-prompts for permissions when a deployment changes. It's the same set of permissions you granted when you first set up fiveanddime — spreadsheet access, Drive, mail (for sending customer receipts), and so on. Click through and continue.
Update my sheet says it failed
Take a screenshot of the error message and email support@fiveanddime.tools. Don't worry — the migrations are designed to be safe and reversible, and we'll figure it out together.