# PlexiiSheets overview

> PlexiiSheets is PlexiDesk's spreadsheet. A tour of the menu bar, toolbar, formula bar, grid, sheet tabs and assistant, with the keys for moving and editing.

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

PlexiiSheets is the spreadsheet in PlexiiOffice. Use it to work figures out: budgets, trackers, price lists and plans, with formulas that recalculate as you type, several sheet tabs in one file, charts, pivot tables and Excel files in and out.

Every spreadsheet is kept in Office and can also sit on a desk as a Spreadsheet widget. It is the same file in both places.

## Before you start

- **Plans.** PlexiiSheets is on every plan.
- **AI features** need AI to be set up: PlexiDesk credits while you are signed in, or your own Anthropic key. See [AI settings](https://plexiidesk.com/help/settings-ai).

## Open or start a spreadsheet

- **A new one:** on Office Home, click the **PlexiSheets** tile. It opens with an empty grid of 48 columns and 100 rows. See [Create a document, sheet, deck, diagram, design or artwork](https://plexiidesk.com/help/office-create-files).
- **One you have:** click it in **Recent** on Office Home.
- **From Excel or CSV:** see [Import and export Excel and CSV files](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-excel-csv-import-export).

## The parts of the editor

### The menu bar

| Menu | What is in it |
| --- | --- |
| **File** | **New spreadsheet**, **Make a copy**, **Rename**, **Version history**, **Import (.xlsx / .csv)**, **Download** and **Move to trash**. |
| **Edit** | **Undo** and **Redo**. |
| **Insert** | Rows and columns, **Chart**, **Pivot table**, **Sparkline**, **Sheet**, **Named range** and **Meeting**. |
| **Format** | **Text**, **Number**, **Alignment**, **Conditional formatting** and **Clear formatting**. |
| **Data** | **Sort sheet A → Z** and **Z → A**, **Create a filter**, **Data validation** and **Named ranges**. |
| **Tools** | **AI fill**. |
| **Help** | **Keyboard shortcuts**. |

### The toolbar

Undo and redo; bold, italic and underline; text and fill colour; the font; alignment; merge cells; **Format** for number formats; insert and delete rows and columns; sort; conditional formatting; data validation; filter; pivot table; sparkline; lookup; macros; query; and **Insert chart**. At the right end are **Import / export** (the folder) and **AI fill**. Rest the pointer on a button to see its name.

### The formula bar

- **The cell reference**, such as **B4**, for the cell you are on.
- **The contents** of that cell. Click here to read or change a long value or formula.
- **AI** writes a formula from a description. See [Describe a calculation, get a formula](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-ai-formula).
- **Names** lists and adds named ranges. See [Formulas, functions and named ranges](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-formulas-and-functions).
- **Assistant** shows or hides the assistant panel. See [Insights and questions about your sheet](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-assistant-insights).

### The grid

- **Column headings** show each column's letter, and beside it the column's name. A new sheet's columns are named after their letters; click a name and type to rename the column.
- **Row numbers** run down the left side.
- **The corner** above the row numbers selects every cell.
- **Add row**, under the grid, adds a row at the bottom.

Charts and pivot tables you add appear under the grid. See [Charts and sparklines in a sheet](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-charts-and-sparklines) and [Pivot tables](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-pivot-tables).

### The sheet tabs

Along the bottom, one tab per sheet in the file, with **+** to add one. See [Rows, columns, frozen panes and tabs](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-rows-columns-and-tabs).

### The assistant panel

On the right, the **AI Assistant** panel gives a short summary of your figures and answers questions about them. It is open when a spreadsheet opens; collapse it with the arrow at its top, or with **Assistant** in the formula bar.

## Move around and edit

| Do this | How |
| --- | --- |
| Move between cells | Arrow keys, or `Tab` to go right. |
| Select a block | Drag across it, or hold `Shift` and press the arrow keys or click. |
| Select a whole column or row | Click its letter or number. Drag across several, or `Shift`-click. |
| Type into a cell | Select it and start typing. This replaces what was there. |
| Change part of a cell | Double-click it, or press `Enter` or `F2`. |
| Finish typing | `Enter` to move down, `Tab` to move right, or an arrow key. `Esc` cancels. |
| Clear cells | Select them and press `Delete` or `Backspace`. |
| Undo, redo | `⌘` `Z`, `⌘` `⇧` `Z` on a Mac; `Ctrl` `Z`, `Ctrl` `Shift` `Z` on Windows. |
| Select every cell | `⌘` `A` or `Ctrl` `A`. |

Copying, pasting and filling have keys of their own. See [Fill, copy and paste](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-fill-copy-paste).

## What you can do

- [Formulas, functions and named ranges](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-formulas-and-functions)
- [Format cells and numbers](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-format-cells)
- [Rows, columns, frozen panes and tabs](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-rows-columns-and-tabs)
- [Fill, copy and paste](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-fill-copy-paste)
- [Sort and filter](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-sort-and-filter)
- [Data validation and dropdowns](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-data-validation)
- [Conditional formatting](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-conditional-formatting)
- [Charts and sparklines in a sheet](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-charts-and-sparklines)
- [Pivot tables](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-pivot-tables)
- [Automate a sheet with macros](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-macros)
- [Shape data with queries](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-queries)
- [Build a sheet with AI fill](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-ai-fill)

## Common questions

**Do I need to save?**
No. Every change is saved as you make it.

**What is the difference between a column's letter and its name?**
Formulas use letters, such as `=SUM(B2:B10)`. The name is a label for people, and it is what AI fill, the assistant and pivot tables use to describe the column.

**Can I use the spreadsheet on a desk?**
Yes. Add a Spreadsheet widget, or put a spreadsheet you already have on a desk. See [Spreadsheet widget](https://plexiidesk.com/help/widget-spreadsheet).

## Related tasks

- [Formulas, functions and named ranges](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-formulas-and-functions)
- [Format cells and numbers](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-format-cells)
- [Rows, columns, frozen panes and tabs](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-rows-columns-and-tabs)
- [Fill, copy and paste](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-fill-copy-paste)
- [Describe a calculation, get a formula](https://plexiidesk.com/help/sheets-ai-formula)
- [Spreadsheet widget](https://plexiidesk.com/help/widget-spreadsheet)