Select a model for GPT functions in Excel

GPT for Excel supports a range of models that you can use with the GPT functions. 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 API keys set for your current space. GPT for Excel gives you access to a default set of models available without API keys. To access additional models, set an API key for one or more AI providers.

• The API endpoints set up for your current space. To access even more models, set up a connection to an Azure OpenAI endpoint or any OpenAI-compatible API endpoint.

• The model settings for your current space. Space owners and admins can control which models are available in GPT for Excel.

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 without an API key.

Use case	Recommended model	Alternative model
General purpose	gpt-5.4-mini	gpt-5.4-nano
Translation	claude-4.6-sonnet	gpt-5.4-mini
Content creation	claude-4.6-sonnet

tip

For information about recommended models when working with web search and images, see:

• Search the web

• Use images in prompts

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

Select a model without an API key

1. Open a Microsoft Excel workbook.

2. On the ribbon, select Home > GPT for Excel Word.

   

   info

   If GPT for Excel Word is not visible on the ribbon, or if it's grayed out, select Home > Add-ins > My Add-ins > GPT for Excel Word. Learn more.

3. In the sidebar, select GPT functions.

4. Expand Model settings and open the model switcher.

   

5. Under No API key needed, select a model.

   

GPT for Excel now uses the selected model to generate responses for GPT functions.

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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 GPT_MATCH function uses text-embedding-ada-002, not the model you select.

• The GPT_WEB function uses the web search model set for your space.

Select a model with an API key

Prerequisites

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

• If you want to use an Azure model or an OpenAI-compatible model from an API endpoint, you have set up the correct endpoint.

1. Open a Microsoft Excel workbook.

2. On the ribbon, select Home > GPT for Excel Word.

   

   info

   If GPT for Excel Word is not visible on the ribbon, or if it's grayed out, select Home > Add-ins > My Add-ins > GPT for Excel Word. Learn more.

3. In the sidebar, select GPT functions.

4. Expand Model settings and open the model switcher.

   

5. Under Use your API key or endpoint, select a model with a key icon.

   

GPT for Excel now uses the selected model to generate responses for GPT functions.

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 GPT_MATCH function uses text-embedding-ada-002, not the model you select.

• The GPT_WEB function uses the web search model set for your space.

What's next

Learn more about models:

• AI providers & models supported by GPT for Work

• LiveBench (a good model benchmark)