ChatGPT for Excel and Google Sheets becomes generally available globally

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What happened

OpenAI made ChatGPT for Excel and ChatGPT for Google Sheets generally available globally on May 5, 2026, after earlier beta and preview stages. The new add-ins put ChatGPT in a sidebar inside Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Users can ask ChatGPT to build new sheets, update existing ones, and explain how a workbook works in plain language.

Supported workflows include trackers, budgets, formulas, multi-tab files, scenario modeling, and spreadsheet cleanup. The add-ins are available across Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, ChatGPT Edu, and K-12 plans. Free and Go users get limited usage access. Plus and Pro users follow each plan's agentic usage cap.

Installation runs through Microsoft Marketplace for Excel and Google Workspace Marketplace for Sheets, then a sign in with an eligible ChatGPT account.

Why it matters

Spreadsheets are still the workhorse tool in finance, operations, and small business. A native sidebar means less copy and paste between ChatGPT and the workbook. The agent can read the actual structure, including formulas and references, instead of just pasted cells.

MintedBrain take

If you live in spreadsheets, this is the simplest way to add Claude-style or Copilot-style help without switching tools. Test it on a real workbook first. The win is biggest on multi-tab files where you would otherwise lose context jumping between chat and the sheet.

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References

This article was originally published at OpenAI Help Center. For the full piece, read the original article.

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