Resources
Use these resources to learn how ExcelAI works inside Google Sheets. The add-on runs in a sidebar next to your spreadsheet and focuses on two main workflows: an Agent for plain-language spreadsheet tasks, and Bulk Tools for structured row-by-row processing.
Start here
If you are new to ExcelAI for Sheets, begin with the basics:
- Open the Google Sheets add-on sidebar from your spreadsheet.
- Sign in so your account, available models, workspace access, and credits can be loaded.
- Choose whether your task belongs in the Agent or in Bulk Tools.
- Start with a small sheet or a few rows before running a larger workflow.
- Keep original data in place and write AI outputs into separate result columns when possible.
Agent resources
The Agent is best for spreadsheet tasks that are easier to describe in plain language than configure as a fixed form.
Use Agent resources when you want to learn how to:
- Ask questions about the active sheet or selected range.
- Generate, explain, or troubleshoot spreadsheet formulas.
- Summarize sheet data and reason over column structure.
- Request spreadsheet edits such as writing values, writing formulas, clearing ranges, inserting rows or columns, resizing rows or columns, or applying formatting.
- Review an approval card before AI writes changes back into Google Sheets.
- Start a new chat, cancel a running response, return to previous sessions, or reuse long-term preferences.
Agent write actions are reviewed before they run. ExcelAI shows the action, target range, and a before-and-after preview so you can approve or reject the change.
Bulk Tools resources
Bulk Tools are best for repeatable tasks where each row should be processed with the same structure. They let you choose source columns, output columns, model settings, and tool-specific instructions.
ExcelAI includes seven Bulk Tools:
| Tool | Learn it when you need to... |
|---|---|
| Custom prompt | Run your own prompt template across rows with column variables such as {{name}} or {{A}}. |
| Translate | Translate a source column into a target language with optional instructions or glossary guidance. |
| Classify | Assign each row to one of your own categories, such as sentiment, priority, lead type, or support topic. |
| Extract | Pull structured fields from unstructured text and write multiple results into separate columns. |
| Generate | Create new text from an input column and optional context columns. |
| Rewrite | Improve, shorten, re-tone, reformat, or correct existing text while preserving the original column. |
| Reformat | Normalize existing values such as dates, phone numbers, addresses, capitalization, lists, or structured text. |
Bulk Tools are designed to protect existing work. They skip empty inputs and skip output cells that already contain results. Extract also skips a row if any target result cell is already filled, helping avoid partial overwrites.
Model and account resources
ExcelAI loads available models inside the Google Sheets sidebar. Agent and Bulk Tools can use different model lists and defaults, depending on workspace configuration and model availability.
Model and account resources can help you understand:
- Which models are available for Agent workflows.
- Which models are available for Bulk Tools.
- How default models are selected.
- How workspace access, credits, and account state appear in the add-on.
- How custom API key or bring-your-own-key settings can affect model availability when enabled for your workspace.
Safety and writeback resources
ExcelAI is built around a review-before-write pattern for Agent edits and cautious writeback behavior for Bulk Tools.
Review these resources when you need to understand:
- Which Agent actions require approval before changing the sheet.
- What information appears in the approval card.
- How approving or rejecting an Agent action affects the spreadsheet.
- How Bulk Tools decide which rows are ready to process.
- Why empty input rows or already-filled output cells are skipped.
- How failed rows, writeback retries, and progress states are surfaced in the sidebar.
Troubleshooting resources
Use troubleshooting resources when a workflow does not behave as expected.
Common areas to check include:
- The sidebar is open and the user is signed in.
- The active sheet or selected range contains the data you expect ExcelAI to read.
- Source and output columns are not the same unless the specific workflow supports it.
- Output columns are empty when you expect Bulk Tools to write new results.
- Required tool fields are filled in, such as categories for Classify, fields for Extract, a target format for Reformat, or a custom generation goal when using a custom preset.
- A batch job has not been stopped, cancelled, or left waiting for retry.
- A write action has been approved before expecting changes in the sheet.