Gemini in Google Sheets can now build a whole spreadsheet from one sentence, fill hundreds of cells with web data, and write formulas for you. Since October 2026 it also shows the web sources inside each filled cell and can analyse BigQuery data in plain English.
This guide covers every Gemini feature in Sheets, the =AI() function with copy-paste examples, which plans include it, the limits, and fixes when the Gemini button is missing.
- Open it: click the Gemini spark icon at the top right of Sheets to open the side panel.
- Build sheets: describe what you need; Gemini proposes a plan, then builds and formats the sheet.
- Fill with Gemini: drag the fill handle or select empty cells. It handles up to 3,000 cells per request and cites web sources per cell.
- AI formula:
=AI("prompt", A2)runs a prompt on each row. - Plans: Workspace Business Standard and above, or Google AI Pro ($19.99/month) and Ultra for personal accounts. Full sheet building is US English only.
All Gemini Features in Google Sheets
| Feature | What it does | Added |
|---|---|---|
| Build and edit whole sheets | Creates a formatted spreadsheet from a description, after you approve a plan | April 2026 (beta from March) |
| Fill with Gemini | Fills a column or range using table context or a custom prompt | April 2026 |
| Per-cell web citations | Shows the web sources behind each filled value | October 2026 |
| =AI() function | Runs a prompt on cell data, row by row | Available since 2025 |
| Formulas, charts, pivots | Writes formulas and builds charts and pivot tables from prompts | Side panel |
| BigQuery analysis | Answers questions on the full connected BigQuery dataset | October 2026 |
| Gemini on iOS | Ask questions and create charts in the Sheets iPhone and iPad app | October 2026 |
Google says Gemini in Sheets scored a 70.48% success rate on the full SpreadsheetBench test, which it describes as close to human expert level.
Which Plans Include Gemini in Sheets
| Account type | Plans with Gemini in Sheets |
|---|---|
| Business | Business Standard and Business Plus |
| Enterprise | Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus |
| Add-ons | AI Expanded Access, AI Ultra Access, Google AI Pro for Education |
| Personal Google account | Google AI Pro ($19.99/month) or Google AI Ultra |
| Free Gmail account | Not included |
Note: building whole sheets is currently US only, in English. Fill with Gemini, the AI function and the side panel work more widely.
Workspace users also need smart features turned on. Gemini features in Sheets are on by default when the admin has Gemini for Workspace enabled.
How to Open Gemini in Sheets
- Open a sheet at sheets.google.com with an eligible account.
- Click the Gemini spark icon at the top right. The Gemini side panel opens next to your sheet.
- Pick a suggestion or type a prompt, such as ‘Summarise the sales by region in this sheet’.
- Review the result. Gemini shows an answer, a chart or a plan you can insert or approve.
Tip: select a range before asking. Gemini focuses on what you’ve selected, which gives more accurate answers on big sheets.
Build a Whole Spreadsheet With a Prompt
This is the biggest 2026 upgrade. You describe the sheet, Gemini proposes a plan, and after you approve it builds the sheet with formatting and formulas.
- Open the Gemini side panel in a new or existing sheet.
- Describe the sheet. For example: ‘Build a monthly budget tracker with income, fixed costs, variable costs and a savings chart.’
- Check the plan. Gemini lists the tabs, columns and formulas it will create. Ask for changes before approving.
- Approve. Gemini builds the sheet. You can keep editing it from the side panel.
- Pull in context. With Workspace Intelligence on, you can ask it to use data from your Gmail, Docs or Drive files.
It can also handle optimisation problems, like scheduling shifts or splitting a budget, that would normally need complex formulas or add-ons.
| Try this prompt | What you get |
|---|---|
| Create a project tracker with owners, due dates, status and a progress bar. | Formatted tracker with dropdowns and conditional formatting |
| Build an invoice log that totals by client and month. | Log tab plus a summary with SUMIFS |
| Make a weekly shift rota for 6 staff with max 40 hours each. | Schedule that respects the constraint |
| Turn this table into a dashboard with three charts. | New tab with charts linked to your data |
You can also start outside Sheets. Since 29 October 2026, the Gemini app on the web can build a tracker or table in chat and open it as a Google Sheet.
Fill With Gemini (Up to 3,000 Cells)
Fill with Gemini fills a column for you using the rest of the table as context. It can look things up on the web, classify rows or write short text.
- Fill one example cell. Type the answer for the first row so Gemini sees the pattern.
- Drag the fill handle down the column. Gemini fills the rest based on the table.
- Or use a prompt. Select empty cells in a range. A Fill menu appears, where you can let it fill automatically or write a custom prompt.
- Check the sources. Since October 2026, web-based values show their sources inside each cell (Sheets on the web).
Requests can now cover up to 3,000 cells. Google’s internal study says a 500-cell task ran up to 55 times faster than manual entry.
Warning: always spot-check web-filled values like prices, addresses or company sizes. Click the cited source for a few rows before you rely on the column.
The =AI() Function With Examples
The AI function runs a prompt on cell data and returns the answer in the cell. The syntax is =AI("prompt", reference), where the reference is optional.
| Task | Formula |
|---|---|
| Classify feedback | =AI("Categorize this feedback as Positive, Negative, or Neutral", A2) |
| Summarise text | =AI("Summarize this paragraph in 15 words or less", D2) |
| Score sentiment | =AI("Rate the sentiment from 1-5. Return only the number.", A2) |
| Extract data | =AI("Extract the city name from this address", B2) |
| Write copy | =AI("Write a 20-word product description", A2:C2) |
- Type the formula in the first row and press Enter.
- Click Generate if Sheets asks, then check the first result.
- Copy it down the column with the fill handle.
- Freeze the results. Copy the column and use Paste special, Values only (Ctrl+Shift+V) so answers don’t change later.
Tip: end prompts with ‘Return only the number’ or ‘Answer with one word’. Short, fixed answers are easier to sort and filter.
Formulas, Charts and Pivot Tables
You don’t need to remember formula syntax. Describe the calculation in the side panel and Gemini writes it.
- Formula example: ask ‘Average sales in B2:B90, only where column C says Completed’. Gemini returns
=AVERAGEIFS(B2:B90, C2:C90, "Completed"). - Charts: ‘Create a bar chart comparing monthly sales by region.’
- Pivot tables: ‘Create a pivot table showing sales by quarter and product line.’
- Explain a formula: select a cell and ask ‘What does this formula do?’
Sheets also added native box and whisker charts and a compact pivot table layout in October 2026. These are for everyone, not just Gemini users.
Analyse BigQuery Data in Plain English
If your sheet is connected to BigQuery with Connected Sheets, Gemini now queries the full dataset, not just the rows you can see.
- Connect BigQuery via Data, Data connectors, Connect to BigQuery.
- Open Gemini and ask a question, like ‘Which product had the highest return rate last quarter?’
- Ask follow-ups to narrow it down.
- Build a dashboard. Gemini can present a plan, then create a new tab with refreshable pivot tables and charts.
Gemini in Sheets on iPhone and iPad
Since October 2026, the Google Sheets app on iOS has Gemini. Tap the Gemini spark icon to ask about your data, get insights or create charts, with suggested prompts to get started.
Fill with Gemini’s per-cell citations are web-only for now, so do bigger fills on a computer.
Limits and Accuracy
| Limit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fill with Gemini size | Up to 3,000 cells per request |
| Usage caps | Per-user limits apply since 15 July 2026; AI Expanded and AI Ultra add-ons get higher limits |
| Build whole sheets | US English only |
| Results | Not deterministic; the same prompt can give different answers |
| Speed | Large batches can take a few minutes |
Gemini can be wrong, especially with web lookups and maths on messy data. Check totals with a normal formula and click through citations for important values.
Troubleshooting
I don’t see the Gemini icon in Sheets
Check your plan: free Gmail accounts don’t include it. On a work account, ask your admin to enable Gemini for Workspace and turn on smart features in your settings.
Build a sheet doesn’t work
Full sheet building is US English only. Set your account language to English (US) and check your region.
=AI() shows an error
Make sure the prompt is in quotes and the reference is a valid cell or range. If you hit a usage limit, wait or reduce the number of rows.
Results keep changing
AI results can recalculate. Paste them as values once you’re happy with them.
Fill with Gemini gives odd values
Add a clearer example in the first row or write a custom prompt with the exact format you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gemini in Google Sheets free?
No. It needs Workspace Business Standard or higher, an AI add-on, or Google AI Pro or Ultra on a personal account.
How do I use Gemini in Google Sheets?
Click the Gemini spark icon at the top right of Sheets to open the side panel, then type what you want, like a chart, formula or new sheet.
What is the AI function in Google Sheets?
A formula that runs a prompt on cell data, like =AI with a prompt and a cell reference. It returns the answer in the cell.
How many cells can Fill with Gemini handle?
Up to 3,000 cells per request since October 2026, with web sources shown inside each cell on the web version.
Can Gemini create a whole spreadsheet?
Yes. Describe it in the side panel, approve the plan, and Gemini builds a formatted sheet. This is US English only for now.
Does Gemini in Sheets work on mobile?
Yes on iPhone and iPad since October 2026, for questions, insights and charts.
Gemini in Sheets or Copilot in Excel?
Both can create and edit sheets from prompts. Pick the one that matches your office suite; my Copilot in Excel guide covers the Microsoft side.
Final Thoughts
Gemini in Sheets has gone from a formula helper to something that can build and fill whole spreadsheets. Fill with Gemini and the AI function are the features I’d try first, because they save the most manual work.
Just check the numbers it produces. For Gemini in your other Google apps, see my Gemini in Gmail guide and NotebookLM guide. On Microsoft 365, read my Copilot in Word, Excel and PowerPoint guide.
Sources
- Google Workspace Updates: build and edit spreadsheets with Gemini (April 2026)
- Google Workspace Updates: Fill with Gemini
- Google Workspace Updates: October 2026 (citations, 3,000 cells, BigQuery, iOS)
- Google: Gemini in Sheets reaches state-of-the-art on SpreadsheetBench
- Dupple: how to use AI in Google Sheets (AI function examples)
