Which AI for Sheets formula should I use?
- Write or generate text:
=GEN,=WRITE - Summarize, rewrite, or translate:
=SUMMARIZE,=REPHRASE,=TRANSLATE - Analyze a range or table:
=ANALYZE - Classify text:
=SENTIMENT,=SPAM,=TAGS - Analyze images:
=VISION - Analyze PDFs:
=PDF - Transcribe audio:
=TRANSCRIBE - Generate or edit images:
=IMAGEN,=EDIT - Get up-to-date answers from the web:
=AISEARCH
If you are new to the add-on, start with Getting started.
If a formula fails with Unknown function, permissions, or file-access errors, jump to
Formula errors or Common issues.
Text formulas
=GEN(prompt, [context], [list_mode])
Use =GEN as the general-purpose AI formula. The optional second argument can be a cell,
range, or extra context. Set list_mode to 1 when you want one result per row.
=GEN("Write 3 follow-up email subject lines", A2)=GEN("List 5 Google Sheets dashboard ideas for a sales team",,1)=WRITE(topic, [content_type])
Use =WRITE when you want a longer draft. If you omit content_type, it defaults to
blog post.
=WRITE("Remote work best practices")=WRITE("Quarterly sales recap", "email")=ANALYZE(range)
Use =ANALYZE for fast summaries of a selected range. It works best when your input range has
headers and a clean tabular structure.
=ANALYZE(A1:D20)=SUMMARIZE(text)
Use =SUMMARIZE to turn long notes, meeting transcripts, or copied content into a shorter summary.
=SUMMARIZE(A2)=REPHRASE(text)
Use =REPHRASE to rewrite one sentence or paragraph in a clearer alternative wording.
=REPHRASE(A2)=TRANSLATE(text, target_language)
Use =TRANSLATE when you want a direct translation. Pass the target language in natural language,
for example French, Japanese, or Traditional Chinese.
=TRANSLATE(A2, "French")=TAGS(text)
Use =TAGS when you want comma-separated topic tags for a sentence, product description, or article.
=TAGS(A2)=SENTIMENT(text)
Use =SENTIMENT to classify text as positive, neutral, or negative.
=SENTIMENT(A2)=SPAM(text)
Use =SPAM to classify a message as spam or non-spam.
=SPAM(A2)Files: images, PDFs, and audio
For file URLs, use direct links, public Google Drive links, or URLs created from Upload/Download Files. If a Drive file does not work, follow Make Drive images accessible.
=VISION(prompt, image_url) or =VISION(image_url)
Use =VISION to describe an image, extract text, or answer questions about what is in the file.
One-argument usage is supported and defaults to a generic description prompt.
=VISION("Describe this image", A2)=VISION(A2)=PDF(prompt, pdf_url) or =PDF(pdf_url)
Use =PDF to summarize a PDF, extract fields, or answer questions about a document.
One-argument usage is also supported.
=PDF("Extract invoice number", A2)=PDF(A2)=TRANSCRIBE(prompt, audio_url) or =TRANSCRIBE(audio_url)
Use =TRANSCRIBE for audio files such as MP3, WAV, or M4A. One-argument usage defaults to
transcript-only output.
=TRANSCRIBE("Transcribe and return only the transcript.", A2)=TRANSCRIBE(A2)Images: generation and edits
=IMAGEN and =EDIT return an image URL. To preview the result in your sheet,
wrap it with Google Sheets =IMAGE().
=IMAGEN(prompt, [aspect_ratio], [reference_image_url])
Use =IMAGEN to generate a new image. Supported aspect ratios are
1:1, 3:2, 2:3, 3:4, 4:3,
4:5, 5:4, 9:16, 16:9, and 21:9.
=IMAGEN("A futuristic city skyline at sunset", "16:9")=IMAGE(IMAGEN("A portrait photo with soft studio lighting", "9:16"))=EDIT(prompt, image_url1, [image_url2], [image_url3], [aspect_ratio])
Use =EDIT to modify an existing image. You can optionally add reference images, and the aspect
ratio can also be passed as the third argument in shorthand usage like =EDIT(prompt, image, "16:9").
=EDIT("Remove background", A2)=EDIT("Change sky to sunset", A2, "16:9")=EDIT("Use this second image as a style reference", A2, B2)Web search
=AISEARCH(query)
Use =AISEARCH when the answer depends on fresh information from the web rather than only the model's prior knowledge.
=AISEARCH("Summarize the current economic outlook for 2026")Troubleshooting and next steps
- Formula says Unknown function: make sure the add-on is installed and reloaded, then check Getting started and Formula errors.
- Image or PDF URL does not work: use Upload/Download Files or follow the Drive accessibility guide.
- You want stable values instead of live formulas: use Save formula output.
- You want broader spreadsheet reasoning: use Sheet Agent instead of forcing everything into one cell.
- Your old sheet still uses =GEMINI: open Extensions → AI for Sheets and run Convert =GEMINI to =GEN.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best AI for Sheets formula to start with?
Start with =GEN() for general writing and text tasks, =ANALYZE() for table summaries, =VISION() / =PDF() for files, and =AISEARCH() when you need current web information.
Why does =VISION() or =PDF() fail with a Google Drive link?
The file usually is not public enough for the formula to fetch. Follow Make Drive images accessible or upload the file with Upload/Download Files and use the generated URL.
Can I still use =GEMINI() in Google Sheets?
Legacy sheets may still contain =GEMINI(), but current AI for Sheets documentation and menu flow use =GEN(). If needed, open Extensions → AI for Sheets and run Convert =GEMINI to =GEN.
When should I use Sheet Agent instead of a formula?
Use formulas when you want a result in one cell. Use Sheet Agent when you want to ask broader questions across a spreadsheet, attach files, or iterate interactively instead of forcing a long prompt into one formula.
How do I stop AI formulas from re-running?
Use Save formula output to convert the formula results into static values after you are happy with them.