Sheetsbase
Extension for AI Formula Generation made for Google Sheets
Overview
Google Sheets has over 900 million users, but most of them struggle with formulas. They open new tabs, search Google, copy from ChatGPT, and paste back into their sheet. This constant switching breaks their flow and wastes time.
Sheetsbase is a Chrome extension that brings AI-powered formula generation directly into Google Sheets. No more tab-switching. Just describe what you want in plain English, and the formula appears right where you need it.
Problem Statement
How might we eliminate the "context-switch tax" for spreadsheet power users by bringing AI-powered formula generation natively into Google Sheets?
Every time a user leaves Sheets to search for a formula, they lose momentum. I called this the Context-Switch Tax. My goal was to build a tool that eliminates this friction entirely.
Role & Constraints
I designed and built Sheetsbase as a solo project. I handled everything from research to design to development.
What I did
- •Product Strategy: Defined the vision and roadmap.
- •UX/UI Design: Created all wireframes and high-fidelity designs.
- •Development: Built the Chrome extension from scratch.
- •Marketing: Designed the landing page and growth strategy.
The limits I worked within
- •Chrome Extension APIs: Limited control over the Sheets UI.
- •Side Panel Space: Small canvas forced tight, focused design.
- •Solo Project: No team meant wearing every hat.
User Research
I talked to 12 power users, from analysts at startups to finance teams at larger companies. The same frustration came up again and again: formulas are hard, and searching for help breaks their focus.
"I have 20 tabs open just to remember how to write a complex INDEX-MATCH. It's not just the search; it's the mental shift."
Who uses Sheets?
- •Analysts: Build reports and dashboards daily.
- •Ops Teams: Track inventory, schedules, and workflows.
- •Founders: Run finances and planning on spreadsheets.
- •Students: Use Sheets for projects and assignments.
Insights & Design Strategy
The research made one thing clear: users don't just want formulas, they want to understand them. A tool that only generates code would feel like a black box. I needed to build trust by explaining every formula step by step.
- •Native Experience: Live inside Sheets, not in a separate app.
- •Explain Everything: Break down formulas so users can learn.
- •Speed First: Generate answers in seconds, not minutes.
- •Build Trust: Be transparent about how the AI works.
Info Architecture
The Chrome extension has a simple structure: a side panel that opens alongside Google Sheets. Inside, users can generate formulas, view explanations, and access keyboard shortcuts. I kept the navigation flat so everything is one click away.
Core Structure
- •Home: Quick access to formula generation.
- •History: View and reuse past formulas.
- •Shortcuts: Keyboard commands for power users.
- •Settings: Customize behavior and preferences.
Wireframes & Iteration
I started with rough sketches to explore different layouts for the side panel. The main challenge was fitting a powerful tool into a small space without overwhelming users.
What I tried
- •Chat-first: A full chat interface felt too heavy.
- •Form-based: A simple input field worked best.
- •Tabs vs Sections: Sections won for faster scanning.
What I learned
- •Less is more in a side panel.
- •Users want results, not options.
- •Copy-to-clipboard is essential.
Visual Design System
The design needed to feel like a natural extension of Google Sheets. I used a clean, minimal style with green accents to match the Sheets brand. The goal was to be invisible until needed.
Design Rules
- •Minimal: No clutter, no distractions.
- •Familiar: Match Google's visual language.
- •Focused: One action per screen.
- •Fast: Instant feedback on every interaction.
Final Solution
The final design is a Chrome extension that lives in the Google Sheets side panel. You can explore the complete Figma file here.
Generate Tab
Describe what you want in plain English, and the AI generates the formula instantly.
- •Natural language to formula conversion.
- •Support for complex logic and cross-sheet references.
- •Direct insertion into active cells.
Formula Tab
Every formula comes with a step-by-step breakdown. Users can see exactly how it works and why.
- •Extensive library of 240+ supported formulas and functions.
- •Complete breakdown of functions and step-by-step logic.
- •Educational explanations to help users learn as they build.
- •Transparent reasoning for every generated result.
Shortcuts Tab
Power users can access Sheetsbase with a single keystroke. No mouse needed.
- •Instant access to 130+ built-in Google Sheets shortcuts.
- •Custom keystrokes for high-speed, mouse-free workflows.
- •Keyboard-only navigation within the sidebar interface.
- •Optimized for efficiency and ultimate power-user productivity.
Validation & Testing
I launched Sheetsbase on the Chrome Web Store and monitored feedback closely. Early users helped me identify issues and prioritize improvements.
What we fixed
- •Faster Loading: Reduced time to first formula.
- •Better Errors: Clearer messages when something goes wrong.
- •Onboarding: Added a quick tutorial for first-time users.
Impact & Results
The big wins
- •Users stopped leaving Sheets to search for formulas.
- •Analysts reported saving hours every week.
- •The explanation feature helped users actually learn.
- •Growth was entirely organic, through word of mouth.
Reflection & Learnings
Sheetsbase taught me that the best tools disappear into the workflow. Users don't want to think about the tool; they just want to get their work done. By staying inside Google Sheets, Sheetsbase became a natural part of how people work.
Growing as a designer
- •Launch earlier to learn from real usage.
- •Build the explanation feature from day one.
- •Set up analytics early to track user behavior.