UNLIMITED_AI
Generate text with GPT-4o, GPT-4o-mini, or Claude directly in Google Sheets
=UNLIMITED_AI(prompt, [data], [systemPrompt], [model], [maxTokens])Returns: string | string[][]
Overview
UNLIMITED_AI is the flagship AI function of the Unlimited Sheets add-on, giving you direct access to the most powerful large language models available today — GPT-4o, GPT-4o-mini, and Claude — without ever leaving Google Sheets. Type a natural language prompt into a cell, and the function returns AI-generated text right where you need it. Whether you are drafting product descriptions, summarizing research notes, translating content, or brainstorming marketing angles, UNLIMITED_AI transforms your spreadsheet into an intelligent workspace that understands context and produces human-quality text on demand.
Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
prompt | string | Yes | The instruction or question you want the AI to answer. Be specific and clear for best results. |
data | string | range | No | Optional data range for batch processing. Each row in the range is processed individually with the same prompt. |
systemPrompt | string | No | Custom system prompt to define the AI behavior, persona, or output format rules. |
model | string | No (gpt-4o) | The AI model to use. Options: "gpt-4o" (default, best quality), "gpt-4o-mini" (faster, cheaper), "claude" (nuanced reasoning). |
maxTokens | number | No (500) | Maximum number of tokens in the response. Higher values allow longer outputs but take more time. |
Examples
Generate a product description
Creates a product description by referencing product names in column A. Drag down for an entire catalog.
=UNLIMITED_AI("Write a compelling 2-sentence product description for: " & A2)Output
Experience unmatched comfort with our ergonomic mesh office chair, designed for professionals who spend hours at their desk. The breathable fabric and adjustable lumbar support keep you focused and pain-free throughout the workday.Batch-process customer reviews
Processes an entire column of customer reviews, returning a one-sentence summary for each row.
=UNLIMITED_AI("Summarize this review in one sentence", A2:A100)Output
| The customer loved the fast shipping but found the packaging flimsy. |
| Great value for money, though color was slightly different from photos. |
| Product broke after two weeks — requesting a refund. |
Translate content with a system prompt
Translates text to Spanish using a system prompt that instructs the model to maintain the original marketing tone.
=UNLIMITED_AI("Translate to Spanish: " & A2, , "You are a professional translator. Preserve the original tone and marketing intent.")Output
Experimenta una comodidad inigualable con nuestra silla de oficina ergonomica de malla.Use GPT-4o-mini for quick classification
Uses the faster GPT-4o-mini model to quickly classify emails as spam or legitimate.
=UNLIMITED_AI("Is this email spam or legitimate? Reply with one word: " & B2, , , "gpt-4o-mini")Output
SpamGenerate a comparison table
Generates a structured comparison table that automatically spills across multiple rows and columns.
=UNLIMITED_AI("Create a comparison table of React vs Vue vs Angular with columns: Feature, React, Vue, Angular. Include 5 features.")Output
| Feature | React | Vue | Angular |
| Learning Curve | Moderate | Easy | Steep |
| Performance | High | High | High |
| Ecosystem | Massive | Growing | Complete |
| Bundle Size | Small | Small | Large |
| TypeScript | Optional | Optional | Built-in |
Use Cases
Product Catalog Enrichment
Generate SEO-optimized product descriptions, meta titles, and feature bullet points for hundreds of products by passing product names and specifications through UNLIMITED_AI with a detailed system prompt defining your brand voice.
Lead Qualification Summaries
Paste raw CRM notes from sales calls into a column and use UNLIMITED_AI to summarize each into a structured format with deal stage, next steps, and risk factors, making pipeline reviews faster and more consistent.
Content Brief Generation
Feed a list of target keywords into UNLIMITED_AI and generate detailed content briefs including suggested headings, word count targets, audience persona, and key points to cover for each article.
Resume Screening Summaries
Import applicant data into a sheet and use UNLIMITED_AI to produce standardized candidate summaries highlighting relevant experience, skills match percentage, and potential red flags for hiring managers.
Multilingual Customer Support
Use batch processing to translate support documentation or canned responses into multiple languages simultaneously, maintaining consistency across your global knowledge base.
Financial Report Narratives
Convert raw financial data — revenue figures, margins, growth rates — into natural language summaries suitable for investor updates or board reports, complete with trend analysis and comparisons.
Pro Tips
Use a system prompt to enforce consistent output formats across all cells. For example: "Always respond with a JSON object containing title, summary, and category" ensures structured, parseable results.
For cost-sensitive bulk operations, use "gpt-4o-mini" — it is roughly 10x cheaper than GPT-4o and handles straightforward tasks like classification, extraction, and short summaries just as well.
Combine UNLIMITED_AI with AI_FILL when you need to establish a pattern first. Use AI_FILL to validate the transformation on a small sample, then switch to UNLIMITED_AI with batch processing for the full dataset.
When generating lists or tables, explicitly describe the format you want in your prompt: "Return a table with columns: Name, Price, Rating" produces much cleaner spreadsheet output than vague prompts.
Set maxTokens to a low value (50-100) for classification and labeling tasks. This speeds up responses and prevents the model from adding unnecessary explanations.
What sets UNLIMITED_AI apart from other AI integrations is its native support for batch processing through the optional data parameter. Instead of writing one prompt per row, you can pass an entire range of cells as context, and the function will process each row individually while applying the same instruction. This is invaluable when you need to generate personalized email subject lines for 500 contacts, classify thousands of support tickets, or rewrite product titles across an entire catalog. The results are returned as a clean array that automatically fills adjacent cells, keeping your spreadsheet organized.
The function also supports custom system prompts, letting you define the AI's persona and behavioral rules before it sees your main prompt. For instance, you can instruct the model to respond only in bullet points, adopt the tone of a technical writer, or avoid using certain words. Combined with model selection (choose GPT-4o for maximum quality, GPT-4o-mini for speed and cost efficiency, or Claude for nuanced reasoning) and adjustable token limits, UNLIMITED_AI gives you full control over the output. The function formats its responses for spreadsheet consumption: lists become columns, and tables become 2D arrays that spill across cells naturally.
Common Errors
#ERROR! API key not configuredCause: No OpenAI or Anthropic API key has been set in the add-on settings.
Fix: Open the Unlimited Sheets sidebar, navigate to Settings, and enter your API key. You can get an OpenAI key at platform.openai.com or an Anthropic key at console.anthropic.com.
#ERROR! Rate limit exceededCause: You have sent too many requests to the AI provider in a short period, exceeding their rate limits.
Fix: Wait a minute and try again. For bulk operations, process rows in smaller batches (50-100 at a time) to stay within rate limits. Upgrading your API plan with the provider also increases rate limits.
#ERROR! Response too longCause: The AI response exceeded the maxTokens limit and was cut off, or the response is too large for a single cell.
Fix: Increase the maxTokens parameter or ask the AI to be more concise in your prompt. For table outputs, reduce the number of rows requested.
#VALUE! Invalid modelCause: The model parameter contains an unrecognized model name.
Fix: Use one of the supported model names: "gpt-4o", "gpt-4o-mini", or "claude". Check for typos and ensure the value is wrapped in quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
GPT-4o is the most capable model with the best reasoning and writing quality — use it for complex tasks. GPT-4o-mini is faster and more cost-effective, ideal for simple tasks like classification or short answers. Claude excels at nuanced reasoning, following complex instructions, and longer outputs. All three models use your own API key (BYOK), so you pay OpenAI or Anthropic directly at their published rates.
When you pass a range to the data parameter (e.g., A2:A100), the function processes each row individually using the same prompt. The results are returned as an array that fills down automatically. This is far more efficient than writing a separate formula for each row, as it reduces API calls and processes faster.
Yes, you can concatenate cell references into your prompt using the & operator. For example: =UNLIMITED_AI("Write a tagline for " & A2 & " targeting " & B2). This lets you build dynamic prompts that pull context from multiple columns.
maxTokens sets the upper limit on how long the AI response can be. One token is roughly 3/4 of a word. The default of 500 tokens produces about 375 words. Increase it for longer outputs like full paragraphs or decrease it for short answers like single words or numbers. Note that higher token limits may increase response time.
AI models are inherently non-deterministic — they introduce randomness to produce more natural, varied text. If you need consistent results, add explicit instructions in your prompt like "Always respond with exactly one word" or use a system prompt to constrain the format.
Pro plans include unlimited AI calls using your own API key (BYOK). The practical limits are Google Sheets execution time (6 minutes per function call) and the token limits of the AI model. For very large datasets, consider processing in batches of 100-200 rows at a time.
Open the Unlimited Sheets sidebar in Google Sheets, go to Settings, and enter your OpenAI or Anthropic API key. The key is stored securely and used only for your requests. You need an active API key from the respective provider to use AI functions.
Related Functions
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