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Build a sheet with AI fill

Describe the data you need and AI fill sets up the columns, then fills in the rows, such as a full project plan or a list, previewed before anything is added.

All plansUpdated

AI fill builds a sheet from a description. Say what you need, such as "a project plan for a product launch with tasks, owners, start and end dates, and status", and it works in two steps: first it proposes the columns, which you can change, then it fills in the rows to match. You see every row before it is added.

Before you start

  • Plans. AI fill is on every plan.
  • AI needs to be set up: PlexiDesk credits while you are signed in, or your own Anthropic key. See AI credits and where your AI runs.
  • Choose where it goes. Click the cell where the table should start. The columns begin at that cell's column, and the rows start on its row.

Step 1: set up the columns

  1. Click the top-left cell for the new data.
  2. Click AI fill at the right end of the toolbar, or choose Tools > AI fill. The panel opens above the grid, headed AI · Step 1 of 2 · Columns.
  3. Describe the data in the box.
  4. Click Suggest columns, or press ⌘ Enter on a Mac (Ctrl Enter on Windows).
  5. AI proposes a list of columns. Change any name by typing in it, remove one with its ×, or click Add column for another. Re-suggest asks for a fresh list.
  6. Click Create followed by the number of columns, such as Create 5 columns.

The columns are named in the sheet, starting at the cell you chose, and the panel moves on to the rows.

Step 2: fill in the rows

The panel now reads AI · Step 2 of 2 · Rows and shows the columns it will fill.

  1. Choose how many rows:
    • As many as needed lets AI decide from the task, such as every step of a plan or every item in a list. This is where it starts.
    • Exact makes a set number. Type the number in the box beside it.
  2. Click Generate rows. The button reads Generating… while AI works.
  3. Check the preview table. It shows up to the first 30 rows.
  4. Click Insert followed by the number of rows, such as Insert 24 rows, or Regenerate for a new set.

The rows are written into the sheet from the cell you chose, and the panel closes.

To change the columns before generating, click Edit columns.

Calculated columns

For a column such as a total, a rate or growth, AI fill writes a real formula into each row, such as =B2/B1-1, rather than a typed-in number. The sheet calculates it from your data, so it stays right when the figures change, and shows an error value if a formula does not work.

Good uses

  • A plan to start from: "A four-week onboarding plan for a new designer, with week, task, owner and done".
  • A list to research from: "The planets of the solar system with diameter, moons and distance from the sun".
  • A tracker: "A weekly budget with category, planned, actual and difference".

Common questions

AI fill wrote over cells I needed. The rows are written from the cell you chose, over whatever was there. Press ⌘ Z or Ctrl Z to undo, then start from an empty area or a new tab.

Can I add rows to a table I already have? Yes. In the first empty row under your table, select the cells across all the table's columns. Open AI fill, describe the rows, and choose Use existing columns. With Exact, the number of rows starts at the number of rows you selected.

The panel says no API key is set. AI is not set up yet. Sign in to use PlexiDesk credits, or add your own Anthropic key. See AI settings.

Still need help? Contact support at [email protected].