Google Sheets will now be able to suggest formulas and functions based on your data. By typing = in a cell below a list, you can automatically add numbers, find their average and much more.
It seems quite intelligent, even though my tests were simple. It suggested that it could be used to find the average or sum of one column of data. It suggested that I find the average for the same number range, but not the sum I had just calculated. Although it is simple to keep track of data and analysis, it's easy to see how this could get complicated.
Google claims that it used anonymized data from spreadsheets to train a machine-learning model to generate these suggestions. It doesn't only consider how frequently certain formulas are used, but it also examines the context of sheets.
As you can see, the GIF above had one row marked Total. The system suggested the sum formula. It suggested average and sum after I removed the Total label. Google informed The Verge it can identify headers and examine how data is grouped so that suggestions can be made.
Spreadsheet programs have always tried to make users' lives easier by offering autocomplete features. Both Excel and Sheets have a series continuation feature that allows it to detect what you are doing and continue it. If I have a list of numbers 2, 4, 6, Sheets can tell it to continue the list for several cells and then auto-populate next cells with 8, 10, 12 etc. These systems can be time-savers but it would not be fair to call them intelligent. You don't have to use them for long before they miss something.
Google's intelligent function and formula suggestions may not be as impressive as Githubs copilot tool that autocompletes codes, but they are both techs ability to handle the tedious tasks that take up more of our time than we realize. Is it difficult to type in SUM and then choose the range you want? It is not. It is not. Yes.
Googles blog states that the feature began rolling out to Workspace and G Suite accounts on Wednesday. It will take approximately 15 days for everyone to see it. If you don't like the pop-ups, you can turn off the feature. Google claims that users will be able to see if formulas they have previously created need to be verified.
