Stop memorising formulas.
Just say what you need.
Describe the calculation in everyday English. Get an Excel formula you can copy, understand, and adapt.
Your formula workspace
Type a request or paste an existing Excel formula.
🔒 Runs in your browser. No spreadsheet is uploaded by this static site.
From plain English to Excel
Use a clear verb, name the range, and add any conditions.
Use your actual column headings
Load a CSV locally, inspect its headers, and describe a task using the names your team uses.
CSV only in this prototype; Excel workbooks (.xlsx) are not parsed. File contents stay in this browser tab and are not sent to a server.
Build a formula from fields
Choose an operation, range or column, and optional condition. The builder creates a supported formula pattern.
Formula testing sandbox
Try a formula against a small sample table. The sandbox evaluates only a defined subset of formulas; it is not Excel itself.
For safety and reliability, only supported functions and simple cell/range references are evaluated. A successful sample test does not guarantee correctness for your workbook.
Formula doctor & alternatives
Paste a formula to get a structural explanation, common warnings and safe, rule-based alternatives where recognised.
Start with the job, not the function
Practical guides for common spreadsheet problems, with examples you can open in the translator.
Explore Excel functions
Search names, categories, or descriptions. Select a function to use its sentence pattern.
This is an expanding starter registry, not a verified exhaustive list of every function in every Excel build. Check compatibility by version, platform, update channel, and locale.
Learn the logic. Let Excel handle the syntax.
PlainFormula makes spreadsheet formulas easier to create, understand, and reuse.