# 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.

Source: https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-ai-fill
Section: Office > PlexiiSheets
Plans: All plans
Updated: 2026-10-15

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](https://plexiidesk.com/help/ai-credits).
- **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.

> **Tip:**
> If the columns you selected already have names, click **Use existing columns** to skip straight to the rows. Select across every column you want filled before you open AI fill.

## 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".

> **Note:**
> AI writes plausible content, but it can be wrong. Check names, dates and figures before you rely on them.

## 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](https://plexiidesk.com/help/settings-ai).

## Related tasks

- [Describe a calculation, get a formula](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-ai-formula)
- [Insights and questions about your sheet](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-assistant-insights)
- [Formulas, functions and named ranges](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-formulas-and-functions)
- [AI in PlexiiOffice](https://plexiidesk.com/help/office-ai-actions)