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Build a table with AI

Describe what a table should hold, approve the columns AI proposes, then review the drafted rows before any are added to your table.

All plansUpdated

Every Table widget has its own AI assistant for filling it in. You describe what the table should hold, and the assistant works in two steps: first it proposes any new columns the table needs, then it drafts rows to match. You see everything before it touches your table, and nothing is added until you approve it.

It is a quick way to start a table from a blank page, such as a packing list, a reading list or a content plan, or to add more rows to one you already have.

Before you start

  • AI needs to be set up. It runs on PlexiDesk credits while you are signed in, or on your own Anthropic key. See AI credits and where your AI runs Coming soon and Add your own API keys.
  • The assistant works on every plan.
  • It reads the table's name, its columns and the options of its select columns, together with your description. It does not read the rows already in the table, so if you want to avoid repeats, say so in your description.

Open the assistant

Right-click the table's title bar and choose Generate columns and rows with AI….

In the Table view you can also click the sparkle beside the + at the right end of the header row (Ask AI for columns), or the AI button beside Add row at the bottom of the table (Generate rows with AI).

You can also click the AI button on the table's title bar: the sparkle, first of the buttons at the right of the bar. Its tooltip says AI — Propose columns, then generate rows to match them.

The AI assistant — columns and rows panel opens along the bottom of the table.

Describe what you need and draft

  1. In the box at the top of the panel, describe the rows you want. For example: "A packing list for a week-long walking holiday, with the item, a category and whether it is packed."
  2. Under Rows:, choose how many:
    • Type a number from 1 to 20 in the box marked fixed. It starts at 5.
    • Or tick As many as needed to let the assistant decide how many rows the description calls for.
  3. Click Draft, or press ⌘ Enter on a Mac or Ctrl Enter on Windows.

The button says Drafting… while the assistant works. Draft stays greyed out until you have typed a description.

Step 1: approve new columns

If your description needs columns the table does not have, the panel shows Step 1, for example Step 1 — Approve 3 new columns. Each proposed column appears as a chip with its name and type. Point at a select column's chip to see its options.

  • Click Add 3 columns (the number matches the proposal) to add them to the right end of the table. Options for new select columns get colours automatically.
  • Click Skip to keep your columns as they are and go straight to the rows.

A new table starts with just Name and Done, so for a fresh table the assistant usually proposes the columns your description needs. If the table already has everything, the panel goes straight to Step 2.

The assistant can propose Short text, Long text, Number, Checkbox, Single select, Multi-select and Date columns.

Step 2: review the rows

The panel shows Step 2, for example Step 2 — Approve 5 rows, with a preview of the drafted rows under your table's column names. Empty cells show a dash, and ticked checkboxes show a tick.

  • Add 5 rows (the number matches the draft): adds the rows to the bottom of the table and closes the panel.
  • Regenerate: drafts again. You can change your description first.
  • Discard: throws the draft away and leaves the panel open, so you can change the description and click Draft again.

A few things to know about what gets added:

  • Values for Single select and Multi-select columns are matched to the column's options by name. A value that is not one of the options is left empty.
  • If you skipped the proposed columns in Step 1, the rows keep only the values that fit your existing columns.

Undo or tidy up afterwards

  • Remove the rows: the rows the assistant added come off together in one step. Click an empty part of the desk and press ⌘ Z on a Mac or Ctrl Z on Windows. See Undo and redo.
  • Remove a column it added: right-click the column's header and choose Delete column. See Table columns and field types.

Close the assistant

Click the × at the top right of the panel, or right-click the table's title bar and choose Hide the AI assistant. Closing with × throws away any draft you have not added.

Clicking the AI button on the title bar again also closes the panel.

Tips for good results

  • Name the columns you want in your description, such as "with columns for title, author, year and genre".
  • Set up the options of a Single select column before you draft. The assistant is given those options to choose from, so its values fit your lanes and groups.
  • Use As many as needed for lists with a natural length, such as the days of a week-long trip.
  • Read the preview before you add it. AI drafts can contain mistakes, especially facts, names and dates, so check anything you will rely on.

If something goes wrong

Draft is greyed out

Type a description in the box first.

The panel shows a message instead of a draft

If AI is not set up yet, the panel says so. Sign in to use PlexiDesk credits, or add your own Anthropic key. See AI settings. For any other message, such as AI returned no rows., reword your description and click Draft again.

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