How to programmatically manipulate native google doc files

Question

Is it possible to programmatically edit a native Google document, say to make certain words bold or hyperlinks? I know I can export that to some format like DOC or ODT, do t

Answer 1

Unfortunately it is not possible to programmatically edit Google Documents (Google's Word Processor document) using a REST API. Only Google Spreadsheet offers such an API at the moment.

You could try Google Apps Script: https://developers.google.com/apps-script/ it is a hosted scripting environment and it offers a Google Documents Service that allows you to edit and manage existing Google Documents.

Lastly you could always upload a document using an open format such as RTF and have it converted to a native Google Documents using the Google Drive API.