Updated: 23 October 2026

Get the right Excel or Google Sheets formula

This prompt writes a spreadsheet formula. You choose Excel or Google Sheets, describe the result you want, list your columns and give example rows with the expected output so the formula is checked against them.

text-excel-formula-helper — chatgpt — 56 words

Write a formula for [EXCEL / GOOGLE SHEETS].

What I want: [DESCRIBE THE RESULT]
My columns: [e.g. A = date, B = name, C = amount]
Example rows and expected output: [EXAMPLES]

Give the formula, explain each part, tell me where to paste it and give a simpler alternative if one exists. Mention any version limits.

Edit in the builder Copy & open ChatGPT ↗Copy & open Gemini ↗Copy & open Claude ↗

Describe the sheet layout in words. It matters more than you think.

Get a better result

What you will get

A working formula for Excel or Google Sheets, a plain-words walk through each part, where to paste it, a simpler option if one exists and a note about any version limits.

Common mistake

The formula returns an error because the columns were not described.

Fix: Follow the tip and write the layout: “A = date, B = name, C = amount, headings in row 1, data from row 2”.

Also watch for

It works on your example but not on the full sheet. Give two or three tricky rows as examples, including blanks and text in number columns, and say how many rows the sheet really has.
You pick the wrong app, so the formula uses missing functions. State the exact product and version, for example “Excel 2016, no dynamic arrays”. Newer functions will not run in older versions.

Try a variation: no helper columns

Add “do it in one cell, no helper columns, and tell me if that makes it harder to read”. You can then choose between short and easy to check.

Still not right? Reply with this

That gives an error. Here is the exact message and my first three rows. Fix the formula and explain what was wrong.