Getting Started
60-second quick start: Install SheetMagic from the Google Workspace Marketplace, open any Google Sheet, and type =AI("Say hello") in a cell. Press Enter. That's it.
Step 1 — Install from Google Workspace Marketplace
Go to workspace.google.com/marketplace and search for SheetMagic.
Click Install and grant the permissions requested. SheetMagic only needs access to your spreadsheet data and internet access to reach the AI.
Open (or reload) any Google Sheet. You will see a new SheetMagic menu item under Extensions.
Step 2 — Test the =AI() function
Click any empty cell and type the formula below, then press Enter:
=AI("Say hello")
The cell will show a brief loading message, then display the AI-generated result. If you see #ERROR?, see the FAQ below.
Tip: The first call each session may take 3-5 seconds while the add-on initializes. Subsequent calls are faster.
Step 3 — Access Settings
Go to Extensions > SheetMagic > Settings to enter a Pro or Business license key, or to add your own Claude API key for unlimited usage.
Available Functions
SheetMagic adds one versatile AI function to your sheet. You can use it for virtually any task just by changing the prompt.
' Syntax
=AI(prompt)
' prompt — any text string or cell reference
' Returns — AI-generated text as a string
Text Processing
=AI("Summarize in 2 sentences: " & A1)
Condense long text in A1 to a brief summary.
=AI("Translate to Spanish: " & A1)
Translate any cell content to another language.
=AI("Fix grammar and spelling: " & A1)
Correct errors in customer-submitted text or notes.
=AI("Rewrite in a professional tone: " & A1)
Change the style or register of text. Try "casual", "simple", "formal".
Data Extraction & Classification
=AI("Extract the email address from: " & A1)
Pull specific values out of messy unstructured text.
=AI("Categorize this feedback as positive, negative, or neutral: " & A1)
Sort records into categories automatically.
=AI("Rate the sentiment 1-5 and explain: " & A1)
Score customer reviews, survey responses, or social posts.
=AI("Clean and standardize this address: " & A1)
Normalize inconsistent entries across a column.
Content Generation
=AI("Write a product description for: " & A1)
Generate listing copy from a product name or features list.
=AI("Write a professional reply to this email: " & A1)
Draft responses at scale from notes or original messages.
=AI("List 5 SEO keywords for: " & A1)
Generate keyword ideas directly alongside your content data.
=AI("Write 3 compelling headlines for: " & A1)
Generate ad copy, blog titles, or email subject lines in bulk.
Formula & Sheets Help
=AI("Write a formula that sums column B where column A equals 'Sales'")
Describe what you want in plain English — get a formula back.
=AI("Explain what this formula does: =VLOOKUP(A2,D:E,2,0)")
Understand any formula without leaving your spreadsheet.
Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1 — Bulk-translate a product list
Say column A contains product names. Put this formula in B1 and drag it down:
' B1
=AI("Translate to French: " & A1)
' Drag B1 down to B2, B3, B4 ... every row translates automatically.
Example 2 — Categorize customer feedback
Column A has raw review text. Column B will show Positive, Negative, or Neutral:
' B1 — reply with exactly one word
=AI("Reply with exactly one word — Positive, Negative, or Neutral. Review: " & A1)
Tip: Adding "Reply with exactly one word" keeps outputs consistent across hundreds of rows, making it easy to filter and count.
Example 3 — Dynamic prompt from multiple cells
Combine values from multiple columns in one prompt:
' A1 = product name, B1 = target audience, C1 = key benefit
=AI("Write a 1-sentence ad for " & A1 & " targeting " & B1 & ". Key benefit: " & C1)
Example 4 — Use a role prefix for specialized output
=AI("Act as a legal proofreader. Flag any vague language in this clause: " & A1)
=AI("Act as an SEO expert. Score this title 1-10 and explain: " & A1)
=AI("Act as a customer support agent for a software company. Reply to: " & A1)
Tips & Tricks
Drag formulas down for bulk processing
Write your =AI() formula in row 1, then drag the fill handle (bottom-right corner of the cell) downward. Each row will call the AI with its own cell reference. This is the fastest way to process hundreds of records.
Be specific for consistent results
Vague prompts produce variable outputs. Precise prompts produce reliable, filterable outputs.
' Less reliable
=AI("Describe the sentiment of: " & A1)
' More reliable — constrained output
=AI("Answer with exactly one word: Positive, Negative, or Neutral. Text: " & A1)
Results are cached
If you call =AI() with the same prompt twice, the second call returns instantly from cache. This means you will not be charged against your daily limit for re-processing unchanged cells after a sheet reload. The cache persists for 6 hours per session.
Refresh a result
If you want to regenerate a result (for example, to get a different wording), add a version number or small change to your prompt:
=AI("v2 — Write a product description for: " & A1)
Handle long text
For very long cell content, ask for a summary first, then chain prompts across columns:
' Column B: summarize first
=AI("Summarize in 3 bullet points: " & A1)
' Column C: work from the summary
=AI("Translate to German: " & B1)
Use IF() to skip empty rows
Wrap your formula to avoid wasting API calls on blank cells:
=IF(A1="", "", AI("Summarize: " & A1))
Plans & Pricing
SheetMagic is free to start. Upgrade when you need more capacity.
- 50 AI calls per day
- =AI() function
- All use cases
- Result caching
- Community support
- Unlimited AI calls
- All Free features
- Priority processing
- Email support
- License key via Gumroad
- Unlimited AI calls
- Priority API queue
- All Pro features
- Priority email support
- License key via Gumroad
How to activate your license
Purchase a Pro or Business license at kevcraft4.gumroad.com. You will receive a license key by email immediately after purchase.
In any Google Sheet, go to Extensions > SheetMagic > Settings.
Paste your license key into the License Key field and click Activate. Your account upgrades instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few common causes:
- Daily limit reached: The free tier allows 50 calls per day. The limit resets at midnight UTC. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited calls.
- No internet connection: SheetMagic requires internet access to reach the AI. Check your connection and try again.
- Temporary AI outage: Occasionally the AI service is briefly unavailable. Wait a minute and recalculate the cell (press F5 or delete and retype the formula).
- Formula syntax error: Make sure your formula is enclosed in quotes correctly —
=AI("your prompt")— and that any cell references use the&operator to concatenate:=AI("Summarize: " & A1)
No. SheetMagic sends your prompt to the AI service over the internet and returns the result. An active internet connection is required every time the formula runs. Results that are already displayed in cells are stored in your sheet and visible offline, but the formula will not recalculate until you reconnect.
Only the exact text you include in your prompt is sent to the AI. SheetMagic does not scan, read, or transmit any other cells, sheets, or files in your Google account. It has no access to anything you have not explicitly referenced in a formula.
Transmitted data is processed by the AI service and is subject to their data retention policies. We do not store your prompt content on our servers. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.
Visit kevcraft4.gumroad.com and purchase a Pro or Business license. You will receive a license key by email. Then, in any Google Sheet, go to Extensions > SheetMagic > Settings, paste your key, and click Activate.
Yes. If you have your own Claude API key from Anthropic, you can enter it in Extensions > SheetMagic > Settings. When a personal API key is configured, it takes priority over the shared key and your calls are billed directly to your Anthropic account with no daily limit applied by SheetMagic.
SheetMagic uses a 6-hour session cache. When the cache expires (or you open the sheet in a new session), formulas may recalculate. Results are generally consistent for the same prompt, but minor variations are possible because AI models can produce slightly different outputs on successive runs. To lock in a result permanently, copy the cell and use Paste Special > Values only to convert it to static text.
SheetMagic is a standard Google Workspace Add-on and works with personal Google accounts, Google Workspace Business, and Google Workspace Education. Your organization administrator may need to allow third-party add-ons if they have restricted the Marketplace. Contact your IT administrator if the add-on is not appearing after installation.
In Google Sheets, go to Extensions > Add-ons > Manage add-ons. Find SheetMagic, click the three-dot menu, and select Uninstall. This removes the add-on from all your sheets. Any cells containing =AI() formulas will show #NAME? after uninstallation since the function will no longer be registered.
Support
We are happy to help. Most issues are resolved within 24 hours on business days.
Email Support
Include your Google account email and a description of the issue.
Before emailing support: Check that your issue is not covered in the FAQ above — especially for #ERROR results, which are almost always caused by hitting the daily free limit. Upgrade to Pro for unlimited calls.