AI Sheet Formulas
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.
Before You Start
Section titled “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$1as the optional[refresh]argument if you want a simple way to force recalculation. - Use range-based formulas such as
A2:A50instead of dragging one single-cell formula down the sheet.
Available Formulas
Section titled “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
Section titled “What Each Formula Does”AIASK: batch extraction, cleanup, or question answering for one rangeAITAG: label each value using an allowed tag listAITRANSLATE: translate each value to a target languageAIVOCAB: extract one key vocabulary item and returnTerm | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example sentenceAIPATTERN: learn a transformation pattern from example input-output pairs, then apply it to a target rangeAIDRAFT: generate one drafted output per rowAIMERGE: merge each row into one AI-composed summary or output cellAISPLIT: split each input row into structured parts that spill across columnsAITABLE: generate a full text table with headers that spills across rows and columnsAIREVERSECALC: suggest candidate formulas that can recreate a target value from a source range
Common Examples
Section titled “Common Examples”=AIASK("Extract the primary domain from this email address", A2:A50, $Z$1)=AITAG(A2:A200, "van life, freedom, outdoors", $Z$1)=AITRANSLATE(A2:A200, "German", $Z$1)=AIVOCAB(A2:A50, "English", $Z$1)=AIPATTERN(A2:B5, A6:A100, $Z$1)=AIDRAFT("Write a 2-sentence polite rejection email citing this reason:", C2:C20, $Z$1)=AIMERGE("Summarize each row in one sentence", A2:C50, $Z$1)=AISPLIT(A2:A50, "Split into Name, City, Issue", $Z$1)=AITABLE("List the top 5 US cities by population with columns for State, Mayor, and Population", , $Z$1)=AIREVERSECALC("E10", "A2:C10", 5, 0.01, $Z$1)Batch Limits And Output Notes
Section titled “Batch Limits And Output Notes”| Formula | Typical limit | Output behavior |
|---|---|---|
AIASK, AITAG, AITRANSLATE, AIMERGE | 200 rows | Returns one output per input row |
AIPATTERN | 200 target rows, up to 10 example pairs | Returns one transformed output per target row |
AISPLIT | 200 rows | Returns structured multi-column output |
AIVOCAB | 200 input cells | Returns one 4-column row |
AIDRAFT | 50 rows | Returns one generated output per row |
AITABLE | prompt plus optional context range | Returns a full 2D table with headers |
AIREVERSECALC | 50 source cells | Returns a ranked candidate table |
Important Limits
Section titled “Important Limits”- Formula names use
AI...without dots, such asAIASK, notAI.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.
AITABLEandAISPLITcan spill widely. Clear the full output area first to avoid#REF!.AIREVERSECALCexpects A1-style references as text, such as"E10"and"A2:C10".- Do not drag
AIASKor similar formulas down 50 separate rows. Use one range formula instead.
Best Practices
Section titled “Best Practices”- Put a Checkbox in
$Z$1and reference it as[refresh]in all AI formulas to create a one-click regenerate control. - Keep
AIPATTERNexample pairs small and representative. Four to six examples is usually enough. - Clear enough space before running
AISPLIT,AITABLE, orAIVOCAB. - Keep
AIREVERSECALCfocused on a small numeric source range. - If a formula times out, reduce the range size before retrying.
Troubleshooting
Section titled “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
Section titled “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.