November Question of the Month - Join the conversation and receive a badge [+bonus badge!]

jessicamatos

I've used the formula generator within Smartsheet a few times to help start the build of complex formulas. It's been really helpful so far! Otherwise, I use AI to help tweak code that I'm writing, to help with solutions to issues I come across with reporting, and I used it to come up with a comparison table for several healthcare plans that my parents were interested in and wanted quick side by side information on. Super useful!

Rachel Nielson

I LOVE using AI for some basic tasks. From the Smartsheet side, was there life before the Formula Generator? I use AI to take notes during meetings, build creative content starters and to search my internal knowledge base for answers to basic questions.

harocha

How is AI helping you work smarter, not harder — or how could it help you in the future?

Yes, definitely AI tools within Sheets are time reducers on mathematical and statistical functions (analyze date, generate formulas and text & summaries)

Now, if not already on development, I would like to see AI applications (more functionality) on the reporting area, specifically building Dashboards. In the future, I would like to see any AI tool (s) as makers, doing the leg work) and users (human) the creative part setting what AI is going to support me with.

Hector

Yvonne Smythe

@jfifield I have been dipping my toes in the water by using the developed solutions of others. I’m going to try the Smartsheet ai offer before it ends.

Eric B.

I'm not very far with AI…. yet! I'm looking forward to AI helping me become faster, more efficient, and more error-proof. Sometimes we all need another cup of coffee and it shows when building formulas and DataShuttles. I'm looking forward to AI stepping in and saying "Hey, did you really mean to do this instead?"

Jake Gustafson

Formulas. Everyone has some amount of stored memory for fancy formulas, but at some point, you reach your limit. Smartsheet's Generate Formulas AI is so helpful to turn natural language text into a function or combination of functions that can be tailored to fit your exact needs. Eliminating lengthy stretches of search engine results navigation. I love having this option to turn to when I need a helping hand.

Jessica Miller

The AI formula generator is such an incredible time saver. I love using the community to help upskill myself on complex formula creation, but when I need something fast and specific to my data sets, the formula generator feels like magic. Being able to tweak the prompts, not worrying about causing an error up or downstream in the string, is fantastic. I also love the ability to quick grab charts to back up an adhoc presentation or help facilitate during a live call, without the effort of updating my public dashboards.
I know for some people AI is associated with user laziness, but for me it is a learning enhancement - allowing me to see what I need when I need it; the next time I want to repeat a similar action/formula/logic instruction, I can do it myself from the knowledge I have gained from the initial AI output.

Carson Penticuff

There are those of us that, for some unfathomable reason, enjoy assembling intensely complex date formulas or multi-tiered IF statements. For those that are more productivity focused, the AI Formula Generator often offers a quick solution for many situations. I am sure the utility of AI will continue to improve to the point that even the more complex of scenarios can be accounted for. There is a lot of drama centered around AI right now, but the cat is out of the bag and it is here to stay. We might as well use it to our advantage in order to increase quality and efficiency. I strongly encourage everyone to utilize AI, when it is available, to enhance their skills instead of considering it a replacement for their own abilities. For those, such as myself, that enjoy solving problems on our own… it can be interesting to create our own solutions and then compare AI generated solutions to see the different approaches.

Janelle

I use AI for complex formulas. It has saved me hours in writing them.

Paul Newcome

I try not to lean on AI much at all. I build solutions and have to be able to troubleshoot and fix them when things aren't working as expected (or at all).

I have used AI to help generate the base framework for some JavaScript and API modules in Bridge, but then I usually end up tweaking them a bit to get them to work exactly how I want them to.

I think it can be a very good tool to add to your belt, but it is definitely not the only tool to use.

Brandon91

Hello everyone,

I wouldn’t consider myself a heavy user of AI by any stretch of the imagination, but I do use tools like ChatGPT and CoPilot for simple tasks. For example, I use them to build templates for SOPs and training guides, and to proofread emails and other communications to improve flow, consistency, and clarity.

When it comes to Smartsheet, I know AI can be helpful resources for automating repetitive tasks like data entry and analysis. It can also support collaboration, problem-solving, and even idea generation. I’ll admit, though, I’ve only used the free versions of AI and haven’t yet figured out all the best ways to make it work for me. I also haven’t explored the newly embedded AI features in Smartsheet yet.

I’m curious to hear how others are using AI, as I think it has the potential to save time and even improve the bottom line.

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Protonsponge

We all know people who take fitness seriously... some train their arms by lifting weights at the gym.
Others work on their endurance by running on the treadmill for hours.

But then... there’s me - I train in the art of Smartsheet formulas. My biceps? Keyboard fingers. My treadmill? Answering community questions. My end goal? Crafting the perfect SUMIFS formula without breaking a sweat.

The Smart sheet community if my Smartsheet Gym and thanks to Smartsheet’s AI features, it’s like I’ve got my own virtual trainer to spot me. When I hit a tough formula or need to automate a repetitive task, I let AI jump in to help.
Instead of bench-pressing spreadsheets for hours, AI helps me quickly find patterns, make recommendations, and keep everything in line. It’s like a personal coach who whispers, 'Take it easy; I’ve got this.

Rebeca S.

"The Smart sheet community is my Smartsheet Gym and thanks to Smartsheet’s AI features, it’s like I’ve got my own virtual trainer to spot me."

@Protonsponge I might need to start calling the Community the "Smartsheet Gym," love your response! 🤩

Julia L Rumburg

@Protonsponge Love LOVE the gym analogy! And you're right - just like a great gym has both equipment (Smartsheet features) and supportive people (our Community members), we've got everything you need for your 'productivity workout.' Keep flexing those Smartsheet muscles! 💪 The best part? No gym membership fees required! 😄

Michelle Choate 2

1. Automating Repetitive Tasks:AI helps reduce manual effort by automating repetitive tasks, such as data entry, task assignments, and reminders. For example, Smartsheet’s AI-driven automation can automatically move rows, assign tasks to the right team members based on workload, and send notifications when certain conditions are met. This saves time and ensures that tasks are completed promptly without having to manually monitor and manage every step.
2. Smart Insights and Reporting: AI can analyze project data and provide smart insights that might be missed through manual review. For instance, Smartsheet's AI features can track project performance trends, identify bottlenecks, and suggest actions based on historical data. In the future, it could go even further, predicting project risks and outcomes before they happen, helping teams make proactive adjustments.
3. Predictive Analytics: By leveraging AI, Smartsheet could improve decision-making through predictive analytics. For example, AI could predict project timelines more accurately, identify resources that may be over or under-utilized, and forecast potential delays based on historical patterns. This would allow project managers to take corrective actions ahead of time, improving overall efficiency.
4. Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Communication: Smartsheet could integrate advanced NLP capabilities to allow team members to communicate and interact with the platform more naturally. Imagine being able to ask Smartsheet to "update the task status," "generate a report," or "show me the project timeline" just by typing or speaking. This would streamline communication and improve the user experience by eliminating the need for complex commands or manual data manipulation.
5. Improved Collaboration: AI can enhance collaboration by intelligently recommending team members for tasks based on skills and availability, ensuring that the right people are always assigned to the right tasks. In the future, AI could help better align team goals with project objectives, enabling more fluid and efficient collaboration among team members.
6. Time and Resource Optimization: AI can help optimize resource allocation by analyzing workloads, task priorities, and skillsets. Smartsheet’s AI could help managers identify if certain tasks are under-resourced or if there’s a more efficient way to distribute work among the team, allowing for smarter, faster, and more balanced project management.
7. Increased Efficiency with Integration: AI could improve how Smartsheet integrates with other tools and platforms, automatically syncing data and reducing the need for manual data entry across systems. This would save time, minimize errors, and allow teams to focus on more strategic work rather than administrative tasks.

In summary, AI is helping streamline workflows, provide actionable insights, and automate manual tasks, leading to smarter and more efficient project management. Looking ahead, AI could continue to enhance decision-making, optimize team collaboration, and further reduce human error, making Smartsheet an even more powerful tool in the future.