Is AI Formula Generation a Solution to Spreadsheets’ Biggest Problem? (opens in new tab)

(getgrist.com)

4 pointsanaisconce3y ago2 comments

2 comments

Source code of the formula generator is at https://github.com/gristlabs/grist-core/pull/345 (there's a docker image). Shout out to Alex Hall for getting this rolling.

TLDR: Spreadsheets are the original low-code platform, but that little bit of code is still daunting. But for a spreadsheet with (1) formulas in a language with lots of training data (Python) and (2) an explicit relational structure that can be fed into a prompt, current large language models already look up to the job of taking care of the coding.

CrypticShift3y ago

> are the original low-code platform, but that little bit of code is still daunting.

It may seem that this formula generation is just pushing Grist more into the no-code territory, that is, only for people who [add you favourite no-code crowd description here]

That is just not true.

- First, like all code assistants, you are still in full control. you can 100% edit the generated python formula to your likes.

- Second, and more generally, grist can be fully integrated with other solutions using its API (≈ backend) and its grids can be fully rewritten with custom html widgets (≈ frontend)

High-Code (and only if you need it), In, Back, and Front.

Anyway, I voted Yes [1]

[1] https://www.getgrist.com/blog/ai-formula-generation-experime...

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse