AI areas
Updated 2026-11-13
What the AI Areas tab of the parameter panel is, what you can do there today, and how to open parts of your workbook to an AI assistant with inputs and outputs.
What an AI area is
Inputs and outputs open single cells of a workbook: a caller sets some cells and reads others. An AI area is a different idea. It is a named region of the workbook, such as a price list or a table of assumptions, that an AI assistant may work with as a whole, within an access level the owner chooses.
In the app, the tab describes it like this: "AI areas are intelligent spreadsheet regions that AI can explore, understand, and modify."
What you see today
The panel on the right of the Configuration (Konfiguration) tab has two tabs: Parameters (Parameter) and AI Areas (KI-Bereiche).
- The AI Areas tab shows an explanation and the button Add AI Area — coming soon (KI-Bereich hinzufügen). The button is not active: adding an area in the editor is marked "coming soon".
- When you select a range on the Parameters tab, a second button appears under Add as Parameter: Add Selection as Editable Area (for AI) (Auswahl als editierbarer Bereich (für KI)). It is not active either.
- If a service already has areas, for example because it was created from a service package that contains them, the tab lists each area with its name, its range and its description.
For a listed area you can:
- Jump to it. Click the area; the editor selects its range.
- Delete it. Hover over the area, click the bin and confirm Delete this area? (Bereich löschen?) with Yes (Ja). Then click Save (Speichern).
Areas are saved with the service and travel in a service package; see Export the workbook.
What to use instead
Everything an AI assistant needs for calculating works with inputs and outputs:
| You want the AI to… | Use |
|---|---|
| calculate with values the user gives | Inputs; see Add inputs |
| read results | Outputs; see Add outputs |
| see a whole table, such as a price list or a schedule | A range output: select the table and add it as one output |
| choose from fixed options | An input with allowed values; see Input validation |
| change an assumption for a "what if" question | Make the assumption cell an input, optional with the current value as its default |
| understand what a value means | The description of each parameter and of the service; see Write good descriptions |
A range output gives an AI the same view of a table as reading the region would. An optional input with a default lets an AI change one value for one calculation while every other caller keeps getting the standard result. Neither changes your workbook: each call starts from the published workbook.
How an AI assistant connects to a service is described in AI overview.
For developers and agents
- A service is called through its inputs and outputs. Use these for everything you build today.
- A service that has at least one input, output or area can be published.
- To hand a table to an AI or to code, define it as a range output; it is returned as a list of rows.
FAQ
What are AI areas?
Named regions of a workbook that an AI assistant may work with as a whole, in contrast to inputs and outputs, which open single cells. The AI Areas tab of the parameter panel is where they are listed.
How do I add an AI area?
Adding an area in the editor is marked "coming soon"; the button Add AI Area is not active. To show an AI a whole table today, select the range and add it as an output.
Why is "Add Selection as Editable Area (for AI)" greyed out?
The button belongs to AI areas, and adding them in the editor is marked "coming soon". Use Add as Parameter above it to add the selected range as an output.
How can an AI read a whole price list from my workbook?
Add the range of the price list as one output. The AI receives it as a table with every calculation and can use it in its answer.
How can an AI try out a different assumption?
Make the assumption cell an optional input with its current value as the default. The AI sends another value for one calculation; all other calls keep using the default.
Can an AI change my workbook?
No. A calculation sets input values for that one call and reads the outputs. The published workbook stays as you published it.
My service lists an area. Can I remove it?
Yes. On the AI Areas tab, hover over the area, click the bin and confirm. Then click Save and publish again.
Do I need AI areas to use my service with Claude or ChatGPT?
No. An AI assistant works with the inputs and outputs of the service. Good descriptions matter far more; see AI → Definition.