Excel and Google Sheets have long been essential tools for data analysis, reporting, and automation. But today, a new layer of productivity has arrived: using ChatGPT prompts for Excel formulas to generate complex formulas, automate tasks, and write custom scripts in seconds. This article explains how ChatGPT can transform the way you work with spreadsheets and provides practical prompts, examples, and automation techniques. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, you’ll learn how to save hours of work and reduce errors using AI-powered formulas and scripts.
This guide also includes an internal reference to the article ChatGPT Prompts for Developers available here: https://www.pujay.com/2025/11/chatgpt-prompts-for-developers-code.html
How ChatGPT Enhances Excel and Google Sheets
ChatGPT acts as an intelligent assistant that helps you build formulas, fix errors, convert logic into spreadsheet syntax, write Google Apps Script or VBA functions, and automate entire workflows. Tasks that normally require trial-and-error or advanced spreadsheet skill become easy with well-crafted prompts.
Examples of ChatGPT capabilities:
– Writing complex Excel formulas from plain language
– Translating formulas between Excel and Google Sheets
– Debugging formulas that return errors
– Creating scripts: VBA for Excel or Apps Script for Sheets
– Generating full dashboards with dynamic formulas
– Explaining the logic of any formula in human language
– Converting business requirements into spreadsheet outputs
Using the right chatgpt prompts for excel formulas, you can instantly accelerate data processing and analytics.
Why Use ChatGPT for Excel Formulas?
Excel formulas can be intimidating: nested IF functions, VLOOKUP vs. XLOOKUP, regex formulas in Google Sheets, array formulas, and dynamic ranges. ChatGPT solves this by converting your natural-language request into the correct function.
Key benefits:
– Speed: generate accurate formulas instantly
– Precision: reduce mistakes caused by manual formula writing
– Learning: understand the logic behind formulas ChatGPT generates
– Automation: write scripts and macros automatically
– Efficiency: eliminate repetition and manual data entry
When combined with tools such as Excel Online, Google Sheets, Power Query, and Apps Script, ChatGPT becomes a complete automation partner.
Best ChatGPT Prompts for Excel Formulas
Prompts are the core of getting accurate results from ChatGPT. Below are optimized prompts to maximize efficiency.
1. Prompts for Basic Calculations
“Write an Excel formula that calculates the total price including a 7% tax for the value in cell B2.”
“Create a formula that subtracts cell B2 from cell A2 and returns ‘Negative’ if result is below zero.”
2. Prompts for Lookup Operations
“Write a VLOOKUP formula that searches for the value in A2 inside column F and returns the matching value from column G.”
“Convert this VLOOKUP into XLOOKUP: {paste your formula}.”
3. Prompts for Date Calculations
“Write an Excel formula to calculate the number of days between two dates in cells A2 and B2.”
“Create a Google Sheets formula that returns the last day of the current month.”
4. Prompts for Text Manipulation
“Write a formula that extracts the last 4 characters of a string in cell A2.”
“Create a formula that combines first name in A2 and last name in B2 into one cell with proper capitalization.”
5. Prompts for Error Handling
“Fix this formula and add error handling so it returns blank instead of #N/A: {paste formula}.”
“Explain why this formula returns an error: {paste formula}.”
6. Prompts for Logical Calculations
“Write a nested IF formula that returns ‘High’, ‘Medium’, or ‘Low’ depending on the value in A2.”
“Create a formula that returns TRUE if the value in A2 is between 10 and 20.”
7. Prompts for Array Formulas
“Write a formula that returns the unique list of names from column A.”
“Generate an array formula that sums values in column B when column A equals ‘Active’.”
Using ChatGPT to Translate Between Excel and Google Sheets
Although Excel and Google Sheets share many formulas, there are important differences—especially in array formulas and text functions. ChatGPT can instantly convert one formula syntax to another.
Examples:
Prompt:
“Convert this Excel formula to Google Sheets syntax: =TEXTBEFORE(A2,”-“)”
Prompt:
“Convert this Google Sheets array formula into an Excel equivalent: {formula}”
This saves significant time when switching between platforms.
Advanced Prompts: PivotTables, Dashboards, and Power Query
ChatGPT can also assist with high-level tasks such as dashboard building and data transformation.
1. PivotTables
“Write step-by-step instructions to create a PivotTable summarizing total sales by region using the dataset in columns A:D.”
“Suggest the best PivotTable layout for analyzing monthly revenue and year-over-year growth.”
2. Dashboard Formulas
“Generate formulas to build a KPI dashboard with dynamic month selection.”
“Provide formulas to calculate MoM growth, YoY growth, and rolling 12-month average.”
3. Power Query Prompts
“Write a Power Query M formula that splits column A into two columns using the first space as a delimiter.”
“Create a Power Query script that removes duplicate rows and converts dates to YYYY-MM-DD.”
Using ChatGPT to Write Google Apps Script
Google Sheets becomes significantly more powerful with Apps Script. ChatGPT can write custom automations even if you have no coding skills.
Example Prompts
“Write a Google Apps Script that sends an email notification every time a new row is added to the sheet.”
“Create a script that copies data from Sheet1 to Sheet2 whenever column B equals ‘Approved’.”
“Write Apps Script code to generate a PDF of the current sheet and email it to me.”
Benefits of using ChatGPT for Apps Script
– No need to learn JavaScript
– Automated workflows
– Custom triggers
– Faster prototyping
Using ChatGPT to Write Excel VBA
If you use Excel Desktop, ChatGPT can write VBA scripts for macros, automation, and data cleaning.
Sample Prompts
“Create a VBA macro that removes blank rows from the active sheet.”
“Write VBA code that highlights duplicate values in column A using red fill.”
“Generate VBA that saves the workbook as a PDF in the same folder.”
Debugging Formulas with ChatGPT
One of the most powerful uses of ChatGPT is formula debugging.
Example Prompt:
“My Excel formula is returning #VALUE!, please fix it: {paste formula}”
ChatGPT identifies the error, rewrites the formula, and explains the fix.
Automating Reports and Business Workflows
You can use ChatGPT to structure entire business workflows:
Examples
– Weekly sales reports
– Inventory tracking systems
– Marketing analytics dashboards
– HR attendance sheets
– Finance budgeting templates
ChatGPT can create the formulas, tables, validation rules, and scripts to automate all these tasks.
Best Practices When Using ChatGPT for Excel Formulas
To get the best results, follow these guidelines:
– Always paste sample data when asking for a formula
– Specify Excel or Google Sheets
– Mention your version (Excel 365 supports new functions)
– Be clear about expected output
– Ask ChatGPT to explain the generated formula
Trusted External References
Here are recommended sources for deeper understanding:
- Microsoft Excel Official Documentation – https://support.microsoft.com/excel
- Google Sheets Function List – https://support.google.com/docs/answer/3093281
- Excel VBA Guide – https://learn.microsoft.com/office/vba/api/overview
- Google Apps Script Overview – https://developers.google.com/apps-script
- Excel Formula Examples – https://exceljet.net
Internal Link Recommendation
To help readers explore more AI-driven prompts, link to this internal article:
ChatGPT Prompts for Developers
https://www.pujay.com/2025/11/chatgpt-prompts-for-developers-code.html
Additional Recommended Articles (Optional External Linking)
Here are two additional articles you asked to include as links:
https://www.pujay.com/2025/11/chatgpt-prompts-for-developers-code.html
https://www.pujay.com/2025/11/stable-diffusion-prompts-for-realistic.html
Conclusion
ChatGPT has become a powerful companion for professionals using Excel and Google Sheets. From generating formulas to automating entire workflows, the possibilities are endless. By learning how to craft effective chatgpt prompts for excel formulas, you unlock a new level of efficiency that improves the speed, accuracy, and creativity of your daily spreadsheet work. Whether you are managing business data, creating dashboards, or writing automation scripts, ChatGPT is now an essential tool for modern productivity.