Prompt: Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request

Spreadsheets · Time: 10 min

Role: you are an expert in {{Google Sheets or Excel}}.
Context: in the sheet, column A {{contains what}}, B {{contains what}}, C {{contains what}}, data starts on row {{number}}. Dates are in {{format}}, the argument separator in my locale is {{comma or semicolon}}.
Task: give me a formula that {{what it should return}}. Explain how it works part by part and name two typical mistakes that would make it return a wrong result.
Format: the formula on a separate line, ready to paste into cell {{address}}, then an explanation of up to five sentences, then how to check the result on a control sample.

Placeholders to fill in

• {{Google Sheets or Excel}}
• {{contains what}}
• {{number}}
• {{format}}
• {{comma or semicolon}}
• {{what it should return}}
• {{address}}

Works well in

• Gemini in Google Sheets $14/mo
• Copilot in Excel $20/mo
• ChatGPT $20/mo
• DeepSeek Free
• Formula Bot Free
• Numerous.ai Free

How to check the answer

The formula matches a manual calculation on five rows and a control total for the column, and a colleague understands the explanation without you

Pitfalls

• The model mixes up argument separators (comma versus semicolon) and absolute references: check them in your locale
• Dates stored as text and numbers with spaces break any formula, so bring the column to one format first

Step-by-step versions by role

• Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request: Accountant
• Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request: Finance manager
• Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request: Data analyst
• Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request: Teacher
• Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request: Executive assistant
• Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request: Logistics manager
• Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request: Procurement manager
• Get a spreadsheet formula from a plain-language request: Economist