Best AI model for spreadsheets and formulas
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The verdict
- Scores 69 on coding, #14 of 33 models we track for this job.
- $0.33 per 1,000 formulas.
- Open weights: you can run it on your own servers.
- Scores 52 on coding, #25 of 33 models we track for this job.
- $0.27 per 1,000 formulas, 18% less than the best overall pick.
- The cheapest model that passes our test for spreadsheets and formulas.
- Scores 100 on coding, the highest of 33 models we track for this job.
- $10.80 per 1,000 formulas: the extra $10.47 per 1,000 buys 31 more points.
- Reads up to 1,000K tokens at once.
Formulas are short, but they have to be exactly right. Coding-strong models do best, and you rarely need the most expensive one.
How we tested
We use the coding score as the quality bar until our rig runs its spreadsheet task. A request is about 1,200 tokens in (your columns and what you want) and 300 out.
Scores are provisional until our own test rig runs these tasks. A model “passes our test” for this job at a score of 45 or more.
Scores and cost at your volume
| Model | Score | Passes | 1k formulas a month | 10k formulas a month | 100k formulas a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Opus 5.5 | 100 | Yes | $10.80 | $108 | $1080 |
| Claude Fable 5.1 | 89 | Yes | $27.00 | $270 | $2700 |
| Claude Sonnet 5.5 | 87 | Yes | $5.40 | $54.00 | $540 |
| Claude Opus 5 | 84 | Yes | $13.50 | $135 | $1350 |
| Gemini 4 Argon | 84 | Yes | $5.40 | $54.00 | $540 |
| GPT-6 Astra | 82 | Yes | $27.00 | $270 | $2700 |
| Kimi K3.1 Pro | 79 | Yes | $5.40 | $54.00 | $540 |
| GPT-6.1 Sol | 78 | Yes | $5.40 | $54.00 | $540 |
| Muse Wonder | 76 | Yes | $10.80 | $108 | $1080 |
| Muse Spark 1.3 | 75 | Yes | $2.78 | $27.75 | $278 |
| Qwen3.8 Max | 75 | Yes | $4.20 | $42.00 | $420 |
| Kimi K3 · open | 74 | Yes | $8.10 | $81.00 | $810 |
One formula is about 1,200 tokens in and 300 out, at list prices. Try your own numbers in the cost calculator.
Who should pick something else
- For macros or scripts that change many files, use the coding guide’s pick.
- If your data is confidential, the self-hosting guide lists models you can run yourself.
Questions
Which AI is best at Excel formulas?
The best overall pick below has the strongest coding score at a sensible price; formulas are a small coding job.
How much does it cost?
Fractions of a cent per formula on most models; the table shows the monthly total at your volume.
Changes to this guide
- 25 Oct 2026: First version, on provisional scores from Arena and Epoch AI.