Guides

AI for Sheets

AI Sheet Formulas

Use AIASK, AITAG, AITRANSLATE, AIVOCAB, AIPATTERN, AIDRAFT, AIMERGE, AISPLIT, AITABLE, and AIREVERSECALC directly in Google Sheets cells.

AI Sheet Formulas brings the add-on's AI workflow directly into the spreadsheet grid. Instead of opening the sidebar for every task, you can type a custom formula such as =AIASK(...) and return AI-generated results that spill into the sheet.

Google Sheets

Google Sheets Only

AI Sheet Formulas is currently available in Google Sheets™ only.

Before You Start

  • Open the add-on sidebar once and complete sign-in in the same account/profile.
  • Make sure your subscription and AI access are active.
  • Use a Checkbox cell such as $Z$1 as the optional [refresh] argument if you want a simple way to force recalculation.
  • Use range-based formulas such as A2:A50 instead of dragging one single-cell formula down the sheet.

Available Formulas

  • =AIASK(instruction, [input_range], [refresh])
  • =AITAG(value, tags, [refresh])
  • =AITRANSLATE(input_range, target_language, [refresh])
  • =AIVOCAB(text_range, language, [refresh])
  • =AIPATTERN(example_range, target_range, [refresh])
  • =AIDRAFT(prompt, context_range, [refresh])
  • =AIMERGE(instruction, input_range, [refresh])
  • =AISPLIT(input_range, split_instruction, [refresh])
  • =AITABLE(prompt, [context_range], [refresh])
  • =AIREVERSECALC(target_ref, input_range_ref, [max_candidates], [tolerance], [refresh])

What Each Formula Does

  • `AIASK`: batch extraction, cleanup, or question answering for one range
  • `AITAG`: label each value using an allowed tag list
  • `AITRANSLATE`: translate each value to a target language
  • `AIVOCAB`: extract one key vocabulary item and return Term | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example sentence
  • `AIPATTERN`: learn a transformation pattern from example input-output pairs, then apply it to a target range
  • `AIDRAFT`: generate one drafted output per row
  • `AIMERGE`: merge each row into one AI-composed summary or output cell
  • `AISPLIT`: split each input row into structured parts that spill across columns
  • `AITABLE`: generate a full text table with headers that spills across rows and columns
  • `AIREVERSECALC`: suggest candidate formulas that can recreate a target value from a source range

Common Examples

txt
=AIASK("Extract the primary domain from this email address", A2:A50, $Z$1)
txt
=AITAG(A2:A200, "van life, freedom, outdoors", $Z$1)
txt
=AITRANSLATE(A2:A200, "German", $Z$1)
txt
=AIVOCAB(A2:A50, "English", $Z$1)
txt
=AIPATTERN(A2:B5, A6:A100, $Z$1)
txt
=AIDRAFT("Write a 2-sentence polite rejection email citing this reason:", C2:C20, $Z$1)
txt
=AIMERGE("Summarize each row in one sentence", A2:C50, $Z$1)
txt
=AISPLIT(A2:A50, "Split into Name, City, Issue", $Z$1)
txt
=AITABLE("List the top 5 US cities by population with columns for State, Mayor, and Population", , $Z$1)
txt
=AIREVERSECALC("E10", "A2:C10", 5, 0.01, $Z$1)

Batch Limits And Output Notes

FormulaTypical limitOutput behavior
AIASK, AITAG, AITRANSLATE, AIMERGE200 rowsReturns one output per input row
AIPATTERN200 target rows, up to 10 example pairsReturns one transformed output per target row
AISPLIT200 rowsReturns structured multi-column output
AIVOCAB200 input cellsReturns one 4-column row
AIDRAFT50 rowsReturns one generated output per row
AITABLEprompt plus optional context rangeReturns a full 2D table with headers
AIREVERSECALC50 source cellsReturns a ranked candidate table

Important Limits

  • Formula names use AI... without dots, such as AIASK, not AI.ASK.
  • Custom formula functions are available only in Google Sheets™.
  • Formula outputs are plain text only. Use AI Agents if you need formatting after generation.
  • Google Apps Script custom functions have a hard 30-second execution limit.
  • AITABLE and AISPLIT can spill widely. Clear the full output area first to avoid #REF!.
  • AIREVERSECALC expects A1-style references as text, such as "E10" and "A2:C10".
  • Do not drag AIASK or similar formulas down 50 separate rows. Use one range formula instead.

Best Practices

  • Put a Checkbox in $Z$1 and reference it as [refresh] in all AI formulas to create a one-click regenerate control.
  • Keep AIPATTERN example pairs small and representative. Four to six examples is usually enough.
  • Clear enough space before running AISPLIT, AITABLE, or AIVOCAB.
  • Keep AIREVERSECALC focused on a small numeric source range.
  • If a formula times out, reduce the range size before retrying.

Troubleshooting

  • `Error: Not authorized. Open the add-on sidebar and sign in.`

Open the sidebar, sign in again, then recalculate the sheet.

  • `Error: AI usage limit reached.`

Your AI quota is exhausted. Wait for reset or upgrade, then retry.

  • `Error: Range too large. Select fewer rows.`

The input exceeds the batch limit for that formula. Split it into smaller ranges.

  • `Error: AI call failed. Try again later.`

Retry with fewer rows. If it keeps failing, check add-on or backend status.

  • `#REF!`

Cells in the spill path already contain data. Clear the output area first.

  • `#ERROR!`

The function likely hit the 30-second Apps Script limit. Reduce the range and retry.

Related Guides

  • AI Agents - Use sidebar-driven AI workflows for sheet cleanup, formatting, formulas, and follow-up prompts.
  • Language & Settings - Review AI permissions and other settings that affect AI-powered features.