Writing Google Sheets formulas shouldn't require a computer science degree. AI tools now generate any formula from plain English in seconds. But which one should you use?
We tested the top 7 tools on real spreadsheet tasks — from simple SUMIFs to complex nested ARRAYFORMULA chains. Here's how they stack up.
1. SheetSmart — Best Overall ($7.99/mo)
What it does: Chrome extension that opens as a side panel in Google Sheets. Describe what you need in plain English, get the exact formula instantly. Also explains any formula you paste in.
Free tier: 10 formulas per day — the most generous free tier in this category.
Why we like it: Zero setup required. No API key, no account creation, no leaving Google Sheets. The side panel auto-detects your sheet name, active cell, and column headers for context-aware formulas. Powered by Claude AI (Anthropic), which produces noticeably better formula explanations than GPT-based tools.
Pricing: Free (10/day) | Pro $7.99/mo | Annual $59.99/yr (2 months free)
2. SheetAI — Best for Power Users ($8/mo)
What it does: Google Workspace add-on with an =SHEETAI() custom function you can use directly in cells. Type your prompt inside a formula and it returns the result.
Free tier: 5 formula generations + 50 SHEETAI function calls. Very limited.
Why it's good: The in-cell function is clever — you can chain AI calls with other formulas. Good for bulk processing.
Why it's not #1: $20/mo for unlimited (requires your own OpenAI API key). The learning curve is steeper. The free tier runs out in minutes.
3. Formula Bot — Best for Analytics Teams ($25/mo)
What it does: Full data analytics platform that happens to include a formula generator. Dashboards, automations, AI actions, file processing.
Free tier: Limited starter credits.
The catch: Overkill if you just want formulas. At $25/mo, you're paying for features most people don't need. Great for data teams, expensive for individuals.
4. Numerous.ai — Best for Bulk Processing ($19/mo)
What it does: ChatGPT inside Google Sheets via =AI() function. Processes entire columns of data with AI — categorize, clean, extract, transform.
Free tier: 7-day trial, then nothing.
Why it's different: Numerous is about processing data in bulk, not just writing formulas. If you need to classify 10,000 rows, it's the tool. For one-off formulas, it's overkill.
5. GPT for Work — Best for Teams ($29+ credit packs)
What it does: Credit-based system for Google Sheets + Excel. Buy credits, use them for AI calls. No subscription — pay as you go.
No free tier. Minimum $29 to start.
Best for: Teams that want shared credits without per-seat pricing. Worst for individuals who just need a few formulas.
6. SheetsGPT — Simplest Free Option
What it does: Basic Chrome extension. Enter a prompt, get a formula. No bells and whistles.
Completely free but uses your own OpenAI API key.
The problem: You need your own API key, which means setting up an OpenAI account, adding a credit card, and managing billing separately. Not "free" in practice.
7. Ajelix — Best Free Tier (3/day)
What it does: Web-based formula generator. Not a Chrome extension — you go to their website, paste your prompt, copy the result back.
Free tier: 3 messages per day + 5 AI tool requests.
The friction: Having to leave Google Sheets, go to a website, and come back kills the workflow. Extensions that work inside Sheets are fundamentally better.
The Verdict
If you want the simplest, most affordable way to generate Google Sheets formulas with AI:
- Best free experience: SheetSmart (10/day, no API key needed)
- Best paid value: SheetSmart Pro ($7.99/mo) or SheetAI ($8/mo)
- Best for data teams: Formula Bot ($25/mo) or Numerous.ai ($19/mo)
- Best for bulk processing: Numerous.ai