Whether you are an Excel beginner or an experienced user, building complex formulas can be time-consuming and occasionally maddening. ChatGPT offers a way to generate the right formula quickly, so you can focus on what actually matters: analysing your data.
Prompt: "I have a table with the columns 'Product', 'Unit price' and 'Units sold'. Can you write a formula for column D that calculates total revenue per product?"
How does it work?
Step 1: ask ChatGPT a clear question. Think about the formula you need. For example: "Can you write a formula for column B that calculates the total including 21% VAT for the values in column A?" If you are after a specific function, such as VLOOKUP or IF, say so in your question.
Step 2: paste your data if needed. Do you have a particular table or set of columns the formula has to work with? Copy part of your data and paste it into the prompt along with your question. That way ChatGPT understands exactly what you want to calculate and can suggest a formula that fits.
Step 3: use the formula in Excel. Copy the generated formula and paste it into the cell you want. Try it out to see whether it gives the result you expected, and refine it with follow-up questions if necessary.
An example to get you started
Say you have a list of product prices in column A and you want column B to calculate the price with a 15% discount automatically. Try this prompt:
"I have a table with product prices in column A. Can you give me a formula that calculates the price with a 15% discount in column B?"
ChatGPT gives you the formula you need. Beyond saving time, it also removes the risk of mistakes in your calculations.
Why use ChatGPT for Excel formulas?
With ChatGPT as your formula assistant you never have to hunt for complicated syntax or functions again. From simple sums to more involved functions such as INDEX and MATCH, it helps you quickly and efficiently. Less frustration, and more time to make your data tell you something.
Tips for better results
- Being specific helps. The more detail in your question, the more accurate the answer. Add column names, cell references and specific functions where relevant.
- Use ChatGPT as a check. If you are unsure about a formula you wrote yourself, paste it in and ask whether it does what you think it does.
Example prompt
"I have a table with the columns 'Product', 'Unit price' and 'Units sold'. Can you write a formula for column D that calculates total revenue per product?"
ChatGPT makes working with Excel formulas a good deal easier. From routine sums to complex functions, all you have to do is ask.
