Google has made things even simpler. With the new AI function built directly into Sheets, available as part of Workspace Labs (Alpha), you can now bring the power of Gemini AI right into your spreadsheet cells — no scripting required.
What Is the AI Function in Google Sheets?
Google’s new =AI() function allows you to write a natural language prompt directly into a cell and have Gemini AI generate responses based on your spreadsheet data. Whether it’s summarizing, analyzing sentiment, drafting emails, or translating — this tool opens up a world of possibilities.
=AI("instruction",[range])How to Use It
- Type the formula:
=AI("Your instruction", [data range]) - Select the rows/columns for AI to work
- You may then be prompted to click “Generate and Insert” from the Gemini side panel or formula assistant
- Drag the formula down to autofill across rows
- Click “Refresh & Insert” if needed to update AI responses
Example 1: Summarizing Survey Responses
Have a massive spreadsheet full of survey results? Manually reading through each response can be a chore.
Here’s how you can summarize key themes:
=AI("Summarize the key themes from this survey data, Keep in one sentence", [range])
After entering the formula, select the row for the range and click “Generate and Insert”. Gemini will provide a clear summary based on the selected row of survey data. You can then drag the formula down to apply it to other rows, and hit “Refresh and Insert” to analyze the rest. It’s that easy.
Example 2: Sentiment Analysis
Use a simple prompt like this:
=AI("Analyze the sentiment of this survey responses", T2:V2)
Again, generate and insert the result. You’ll get insights like positive, neutral, or negative—perfect for gauging customer or student sentiment at scale.
Result
Example 3: Drafting Personalized Emails
Repetitive admin tasks like drafting emails can eat up time. Let Gemini AI help with first drafts!
Suppose you have student performance data. You can create personalized messages like this:
Result
Gemini will generate a full email based on the selected row. Just fill the rest of the column down and generate for the other entries. What used to take hours now takes minutes.
Example 4: Translating Text
While Google Sheets already has a translation function, the AI version can provide more context-aware translations.
Try this to convert emails to Spanish:
Result
This is ideal for communicating with a multilingual audience and ensures the tone and intent stay intact.
Tips for Best Results
- Use clear and specific prompts
- Always reference the correct data range
- Don’t forget to refresh and insert after dragging formulas down
A Quick Note: It’s Still Evolving
Since this is an alpha feature under Workspace Labs, functionality might evolve, and not all users may have access yet. But if you do — try it out. It’s a game-changer for data analysis, communication, and automation in Sheets.