Your first service in ten minutes

Updated 2026-11-13

This page takes you from an Excel file to a working API, step by step. You need an Excel workbook with at least one formula and a SpreadAPI account.

Video: From an Excel file to an API

Before you start

Pick a small workbook: a few cells you type into, and one or more cells with formulas that show the result. How large a workbook may be depends on your plan; see File size limits.

No workbook at hand? On the service list, click Try a sample calculation (Beispielberechnung ausprobieren) and pick one of the sample workbooks. Its inputs and outputs can be set up for you.

Step 1: Create the service

  1. Sign in at spreadapi.io. You land on the service list. See Account and sign-in.
  2. Click New Service (Neuer Service). With an empty list, the button is called Create First Service (Ersten Service erstellen).

The service page opens with a new draft. You can also drag an Excel file from your computer onto the service list; this creates a draft named after the file.

Step 2: Bring in the workbook

The empty service offers three ways:

  • Import an existing spreadsheet (Arbeitsmappe importieren): drop an Excel file or click to choose one.
  • Import from Google Sheets (Aus Google Sheets importieren): paste the link of a sheet shared as "anyone with the link".
  • Create a new spreadsheet (Neue Arbeitsmappe erstellen): build the model in the built-in editor.

Details: Import an Excel file.

Step 3: Choose inputs and outputs

You are on the Configuration (Konfiguration) tab: the workbook on the right, the parameter panel on the left.

  1. Click a cell that a caller should fill, for example the loan amount.
  2. In the panel, click Add as Parameter (Als Parameter hinzufügen).
  3. Check the name and title in the dialog, then click Add Parameter (Parameter hinzufügen).
  4. Repeat for every input.
  5. Click a cell with a result formula and add it the same way. A cell with a formula, or a range of cells, is set up as an output automatically; a plain value cell becomes an input.

The panel now lists your Input Parameters (Eingabe-Parameter) and Output Parameters (Ausgabe-Parameter). More: Add inputs and Add outputs.

Step 4: Try it

Once there is at least one parameter, a test button with a play icon appears in the header. Click it, enter values in Test Current Parameters (Aktuelle Parameter testen) and click Calculate (Berechnen). This runs on the draft; nothing is published yet. See Test before publishing.

Step 5: Save and publish

  1. Click Save (Speichern). The button shows while there are unsaved changes.
  2. After saving, the same place shows Publish (Veröffentlichen). Click it.

The button turns into the status button Published (Veröffentlicht). Your service now has an address. How many services can be published at the same time depends on your plan; see Published services limit.

Step 6: Call it

  1. Open the API tab and stay on Test (Testen).
  2. Enter values and click Run Test (Test starten). You see the request address and the JSON answer.
  3. Copy the address into a browser, a script or a tool.

Next steps: protect the service with a token under API → Access (Zugriff), see Tokens and access; describe it for AI assistants under AI → Definition, see AI definition; or share it as a web app, see Web app.

For developers and agents

A first call, with inputs as query parameters:

GET https://spreadapi.io/api/v1/services/{serviceId}/execute?amount=10000&rate=0.05

Or with a JSON body:

POST https://spreadapi.io/api/v1/services/{serviceId}/execute
Content-Type: application/json

{"inputs": {"amount": 10000, "rate": 0.05}}
  • The answer lists the results under outputs, each with name, title and value. See The API response.
  • Percentages are sent as decimals: 0.05 for 5%.
  • A draft answers HTTP 404; only a published service can be called.
  • The service ID is in the address of the service page and under Copy ID (ID kopieren) in the three-dot menu of the service list.

FAQ

How do I create my first service?

Sign in, click New Service, import your Excel file, pick input and output cells with Add as Parameter, then Save and Publish. The API tab then shows the address and lets you test it.

How long does it take to get a working API?

About ten minutes for a simple workbook. Most of the time goes into choosing which cells are inputs and which are outputs.

I have no Excel file ready. Can I still try it?

Yes. On the service list click Try a sample calculation and pick a sample workbook, or start with Create a new spreadsheet and build a small model in the editor.

Why is there no Publish button?

While you have unsaved changes the button shows Save; save first and it becomes Publish. Publish also stays disabled until the service has at least one input or output.

Why are the API, Apps and Usage tabs empty?

These tabs need a published service. Publish the service, or click Publish now (Jetzt veröffentlichen) on the placeholder, and the content appears.

Where do I find the address of my service?

Open the API tab; Test shows the full request address. On the service list, the three-dot menu of a published service has Copy Endpoint (Endpunkt kopieren).

Can I test without publishing?

Yes. The test button in the header calculates on the draft in the editor. Calls over the API need a published service.

As an agent, what is the minimum I need to call a new service?

The service ID, the input names, and a token if the service is protected. Send GET .../api/v1/services/{serviceId}/execute?name=value or a POST with {"inputs": {...}} and read the results from outputs.