Best AI Tools for Spreadsheets (Excel & Google Sheets)
Some AI tools write formulas from a description; others live inside the sheet and edit it for you. This guide sorts the best AI tools for spreadsheets by how they actually work — so you pick the right kind for your data and your app.
"AI for spreadsheets" covers three very different things: an assistant built into your spreadsheet, an outside chatbot you copy formulas from, and a new kind of AI-native spreadsheet. They suit different needs, so the useful way to choose is by how the tool works — not by which has the longest feature list.
Three kinds of spreadsheet AI
| Type | How it works | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in assistant | Lives inside the sheet; can read and edit your data | Copilot in Excel, Gemini in Google Sheets |
| External chatbot | You describe the task; it returns a formula to paste | ChatGPT, Claude |
| AI-native spreadsheet | A separate app built around AI from the start | Rows, and analysis tools like Julius |
Built into your spreadsheet: Copilot and Gemini
These are the most convenient because they work where your data already lives. Microsoft's Copilot in Excel can suggest formulas, create charts, and summarise a table in plain English; Google's Gemini side panel does the same inside Google Sheets, including generating tables and formulas. Both read the sheet directly, so you skip the copy-paste.
Best for: people who want AI help without leaving their spreadsheet. Limitation: they are paid features tied to a Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace plan, and availability depends on your subscription and region.
An outside chatbot: ChatGPT or Claude
A general chatbot does not touch your file, but it is excellent at turning a described task into a formula and explaining what an existing formula does. It works for both Excel and Google Sheets, and it is free to start. The trade-off is the copy-paste loop and the need to verify — see how to use ChatGPT to write Excel formulas for the workflow and the checks that matter.
Best for: occasional help and learning, on any spreadsheet app, for free. Limitation: it cannot see your data unless you paste it in or upload a file on a paid tier.
AI-native spreadsheets and analysis tools
Some tools are built around AI from the ground up. Rows is a spreadsheet with an AI assistant and live data connections; upload-and-ask tools like Julius let you drop in a file and get charts and answers in plain English. These shine for analysis and reporting rather than day-to-day editing — more on them in AI tools for data analysis without coding.
Best for: turning a dataset into a chart or summary quickly. Limitation: they are a separate app, so they suit analysis more than living in your main workbook.
Which should you use?
- Want help right inside Excel or Sheets, and have the subscription → Copilot or Gemini.
- Want free help and do not mind copy-paste → ChatGPT or Claude.
- Want to analyse a dataset and get charts fast → an AI-native / analysis tool.
- Still choosing between the apps themselves? Read Excel vs Google Sheets.
Frequently asked questions
Does Excel have built-in AI?
Yes — Copilot in Excel can write formulas, build charts, and summarise data inside the app. It is a paid feature tied to a Microsoft 365 plan with Copilot, so whether you have it depends on your subscription.
Does Google Sheets have built-in AI?
Yes. Gemini appears as a side panel in Google Sheets and can generate formulas, tables, and summaries. Like Copilot, it is part of paid Workspace plans, so availability depends on your subscription and region.
What is the best free AI tool for spreadsheets?
A general chatbot like ChatGPT or Claude, used to write and explain formulas. It works with both Excel and Google Sheets on a free tier, as long as you paste the description in and verify the result yourself.
Can AI clean and analyse my spreadsheet automatically?
Upload-and-ask tools can suggest cleaning steps and produce charts and summaries from a file you provide. Always review the steps it takes and confirm the output against your raw data before relying on it.