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Key concepts

Key concepts related to GPT for Work extensions and the use of ChatGPT and other AIs directly from MS Excel, and Word, Google Sheets and Docs. Learn more.

AI concepts​

Prompt​

Input text given to the model to generate a response or perform a task. Prompts can be included in the sidebar of the GPT for Work extensions, or passed as arguments in GPT functions. For guidance, see Write a good prompt.

Model​

Language model in use in GPT for Work extensions, such as OpenAI GPT-4o or Anthropic Claude 3.5 Sonnet. You select the model in the sidebar of the GPT for Work extensions. Available models depend on the extension and whether you are using your own API key. For more information, see Supported models.

AI provider​

Company that provides models to GPT for Work extensions. GPT for Work integrates with multiple AI providers, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. See the full list of supported models by provider for each extension.

Custom instructions​

Specific guidelines provided to the model to define its role, expertise, or how it should respond to prompts. Custom instructions are set in the sidebar of the GPT for Work extensions, and remain active in the document or spreadsheet until you change them.

API key​

Unique identifier that gives access to models from AI providers such as OpenAI or Anthropic. You don't need an API key to use GPT for Work extensions, except for GPT for Docs, which is currently free to use with your own API key. Using your own API key gives you more model options, control, and privacy. It can also lower your costs if you're on self-service pricing.

Tokens​

Pieces of words that models use to process text. Typically, one token represents about 4 characters of common English text. The number of tokens used in the prompt (input) and the AI's response (output) impacts your balance if you're on self-service pricing.

Rate limits​

Restrictions on the number of tokens or on the number of requests that can be processed within a certain timeframe (minute, day, month). AI providers set rate limits on their models. Google also enforces rate limits on the daily number of requests. Learn more.

GPT for Work concepts​

Panel in GPT for Work extensions where users can interact with the AI, input prompts, and adjust settings. When you launch the GPT for Work extensions, the sidebar opens on the right side of the screen.

Excel extension

Bulk tools​

Feature in GPT for Excel and GPT for Sheets that enables operations on entire columns simultaneously without writing formulas. These include translation, classification, extraction, web searching, summarization, and image prompting tools. The Custom prompt bulk tool further provides the capability to address any other use case. For more information, see Bulk tools in GPT for Excel and Bulk tools in GPT for Sheets.

GPT for Work bulk tools

GPT functions​

Specialized functions provided by GPT for Work that extend the capabilities of Excel/Sheets. These functions start with GPT. For example, GPT_TRANSLATE is a function designed for translation tasks in GPT for Excel/Sheets. For more information, see GPT functions in GPT for Excel and GPT functions in GPT for Sheets.

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