Select a model

GPT for Work supports a range of models that you can use for your AI work. The default model is OpenAI gpt-4o. You can select a different model if you want to use or explore other options. To help you find the model that offers the best balance of accuracy, speed, and cost for your use case, see our recommended models.

The available models depend on:

• The GPT for Work add-on you're using. For a list of supported models by add-on, see AI providers & models.

• The API keys you've set, if any. Each add-on gives you access to a default set of models available without an API key. To access additional models, set an API key for one or more AI providers.

Select a model without an API key

Excel

1. Open a Microsoft Excel workbook.

2. In the Home tab, click GPT for Excel Word.

   

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   You can also select Home > Add-ins > My Add-ins > GPT for Excel Word.

3. Expand the model switcher.

   

4. Select a model.

   Models that are available without any setup are listed under No API key needed.

   

GPT for Excel uses the selected model to generate all responses.

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• When cache is enabled, existing GPT formulas will not automatically update to the new model when you re-execute them.

  To re-execute an existing formula with the new model:

  1. Set the model as a parameter in the formula.

  2. Press Enter to re-execute the formula.

• The Analyze images bulk AI tool and the GPT_MATCH and GPT_VISION functions use specific models, not the one you select. For more information, see Features with fixed models.

Sheets

1. Open a Google spreadsheet.

2. In the menu bar, select Extensions > GPT for Sheets and Docs > Open.

   

3. Expand the model switcher.

   

4. Select a model.

   Models that are available without any setup are listed under No API key needed.

   

GPT for Sheets uses the selected model to generate all responses.

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• When cache is enabled, existing GPT formulas will not automatically update to the new model when you re-execute them.

  To re-execute an existing formula with the new model:

  1. Set the model as a parameter in the formula.

  2. Press Enter to re-execute the formula.

• The Analyze images bulk AI tool and the GPT_MATCH and GPT_VISION functions use specific models, not the one you select. For more information, see Features with fixed models.

Word

1. Open a Microsoft Word document.

2. In the Home tab, click GPT for Excel Word.

   

   info

   You can also select Home > Add-ins > My Add-ins > GPT for Excel Word.

3. Expand the model switcher.

   

4. Select a model.

   Models that are available without any setup are listed under No API key needed.

   

GPT for Word uses the selected model to generate all responses.

Docs

1. Open a Google document.

2. In the menu bar, select Extensions > GPT for Sheets and Docs > Launch.

   

3. Expand the model settings.

   

4. Select a model.

   Models that are available without any setup are listed under No API key needed.

   

GPT for Docs uses the selected model to generate all responses.

Select a model with an API key

Prerequisites

• You have set an API key for the AI provider whose model you want to use.

• In Excel and Word, if you want to use an Azure model or an OpenAI-compatible model from a custom endpoint, you have set up the correct endpoint.

Excel

1. Open a Microsoft Excel workbook.

2. In the Home tab, click GPT for Excel Word.

   

   info

   You can also select Home > Add-ins > My Add-ins > GPT for Excel Word.

3. Expand the model switcher.

   

4. Select a model with a key icon.

   Models that are available with an API key are listed under Use your API key or endpoint and have a key icon in front of their name.

   

GPT for Excel uses the selected model to generate all responses.

info

• When cache is enabled, existing GPT formulas will not automatically update to the new model when you re-execute them.

  To re-execute an existing formula with the new model:

  1. Set the model as a parameter in the formula.

  2. Press Enter to re-execute the formula.

• The Analyze images bulk AI tool and the GPT_MATCH and GPT_VISION functions use specific models, not the one you select. For more information, see Features with fixed models.

Sheets

1. Open a Google spreadsheet.

2. In the menu bar, select Extensions > GPT for Sheets and Docs > Open.

   

3. Expand the model switcher.

   

4. Select a model with a key icon.

   Models that are available with an API key are listed under Use your API key or endpoints and have a key icon in front of their name.

   

GPT for Sheets uses the selected model to generate all responses.

info

• When cache is enabled, existing GPT formulas will not automatically update to the new model when you re-execute them.

  To re-execute an existing formula with the new model:

  1. Set the model as a parameter in the formula.

  2. Press Enter to re-execute the formula.

• The Analyze images bulk AI tool and the GPT_MATCH and GPT_VISION functions use specific models, not the one you select. For more information, see Features with fixed models.

Word

1. Open a Microsoft Word document.

2. In the Home tab, click GPT for Excel Word.

   

   info

   You can also select Home > Add-ins > My Add-ins > GPT for Excel Word.

3. Expand the model switcher.

   

4. Select a model with a key icon.

   Models that are available with an API key are listed under Use your API key or endpoint and have a key icon in front of their name.

   

GPT for Word uses the selected model to generate all responses.

Docs

1. Open a Google document.

2. In the menu bar, select Extensions > GPT for Sheets and Docs > Launch.

   

3. Expand the model settings.

   

4. Select a model.

   Models that are available with an API key are listed under Use your API key.

   

GPT for Docs uses the selected model to generate all responses.

Recommended models

As a general rule, OpenAI models are more reliable and less likely to decline prompts than models from other providers.

The following table lists our recommended models available both without and with an API key. For more information about which add-on supports which models, see AI providers & models.

Model	Provider	Description
gpt-4o	OpenAI	Best overall balance of easy prompting, speed, quality, reliability, and cost. We recommend this model for most use cases.
gpt-4.1-nano	OpenAI	Fast, cost-effective model with strong reasoning and language capabilities. Follows instructions closely.
o4-mini	OpenAI	Fast, cost-effective reasoning. Great for analysis tasks.
claude-3.5-sonnet	Anthropic	Great at content creation, summarization, and nuanced reasoning across a wide range of tasks.
gemini-2.5-flash	Google	Cost-effective model ideal for lightweight tasks and rapid responses. Supports reasoning and web search (enabled from the model settings).
sonar	Perplexity	Cost-effective search model optimized for simple queries. Grounded in recent web search data.
sonar-pro	Perplexity	Advanced search model designed for complex queries. Grounded in recent web search data.

To learn more about a model, hover over the model name in the model switcher. A tooltip opens with detailed information about the model.

What's next

Learn more about models:

• List of supported models

• LiveBench (a good model benchmark)

Put your selected model to use:

Excel

• Use bulk AI tools to run prompts on entire spreadsheet columns at once without writing any formulas.

• Use GPT functions to run prompts from inside spreadsheet cells.

Sheets

• Use bulk AI tools to run prompts on entire spreadsheet columns at once without writing any formulas.

• Use GPT functions to run prompts from inside spreadsheet cells.

Word

• Author text with AI.

Docs

• Author text with AI.