Quick verdict
For explaining, debugging and generating spreadsheet formulas, ChatGPT is the most capable general assistant — paste a range and it reasons through the logic. Claude is excellent for larger datasets and careful, step-by-step data cleaning. Native Copilot features in Excel and Sheets cover the in-app basics.
The ranking
- ChatGPT — best for formula generation, debugging and analysis.
- Claude — strong on large tables and methodical cleanup.
- Microsoft Copilot in Excel — in-app formulas and summaries (plain pick, not reviewed here).
- Gemini in Sheets — native AI inside Google Sheets.
- Rows — spreadsheet with built-in AI functions.
- Bricks — AI-first spreadsheet and dashboard tool.
How to choose
| Task | Pick |
|---|---|
| Write or fix a formula | ChatGPT |
| Clean a large dataset | Claude |
| Stay inside Excel | Copilot in Excel |
| Stay inside Google Sheets | Gemini in Sheets |
Bottom line
The fastest workflow in 2026 is to pair a general model with your existing spreadsheet. Use ChatGPT for formulas and Claude for heavier data work, then paste results back into Excel or Sheets. Always spot-check AI-generated formulas against a few known rows before trusting them.
