Google Sheets now offers AI-powered charts and data analysis
TL;DR: Google has unveiled a significant upgrade to Gemini for Google Sheets, enhancing its AI capabilities to streamline data analysis and visualization. This upgrade is part of Google’s broader efforts to update Workspace, integrating AI features in other applications such as Gmail, Docs, Chat, and Meet.
The updated Gemini can now provide in-depth insights into trends, patterns, and correlations within spreadsheet data. For instance, a marketing manager can ask Gemini to analyze the top three performing channels by conversion rate and receive a breakdown with supporting visualizations. Similarly, a financial analyst can prompt the AI to identify anomalies in inventory levels for a specific product, potentially uncovering supply chain issues or unusual demand patterns.
One of the most notable additions is Gemini’s ability to generate graphs based on spreadsheet data. Users can instruct the AI to create visual representations, such as a chart of segments by monthly recurring revenue, which they can then insert as static images.
Another cool feature is the ability to translate user requests into Python code, execute it, and analyze the results. Users now have access to more complex data analysis without writing code manually, making this function available to a broader range of users.
However, the update has some limitations. The AI-generated charts are static images that do not automatically update when the underlying data changes. Users must create a new graphic every time they modify the data. Google says that for optimal results, data should be well-structured with clear headers and no missing values. Gemini’s performance is most consistent in files below one million cells for complex analysis.
Google issued the update on January 29 in a slow rollout expected to conclude by February 20, 2025. Users of Google Workspace Business with Gemini Education add-ons and Google One AI Premium subscribers will be the first to receive the update, with integration coming to other Google products later. Users can access Gemini in Sheets by clicking on the “Ask Gemini” button in the top right corner of the application.
Google has gradually integrated AI tools across its product suite, enhancing productivity and collaboration for various user groups. Last month, its latest advanced artificial intelligence rolled out across its Workspace suite, including Gmail, Docs, Meet, and Chat. That update also introduced Gemini Advanced, which supports complex professional tasks like research and coding. It has a research assistant feature called “NotebookLM Plus,” which teams can use to upload sources, generate insights, and create collaborative learning resources.
