Formula Dog

A one-sentence summary

Formula Dog is an AI-powered tool that generates Excel and Google Sheets formulas using natural language; its earlier versions also supported SQL, VBA, and regular expressions, and it offered a sidebar plugin for Google Sheets.

Current product status

The public search page of Formula Dog still shows the formula generator, an online trial option, and three different price tiers. However, the readable homepage available on this site now features categories such as articles, comparisons, reviews, guides, and tools. The link to the original terms of service also leads to this same category list, indicating that the structure of the site or the status of its product offerings has changed.

The Formula Dog plugin can still be found in the Google Workspace Marketplace; the page indicates that it was last updated on February 28, 2023, and it lists the paid features that are available for free use. The plugin is still listed there, but it’s not guaranteed that its generation services, payment system, and all of its functions will remain stable until 2026; therefore, it’s advisable to conduct a low-risk test before using it.

Tool Introduction

Formula Dog is designed to allow users to describe table-related problems in English; a usable formula is then generated within seconds. It is suitable for those who have forgotten the syntax of certain functions or are not familiar with nested formulas. The tool converts business descriptions into formula text, which the user can then copy into a spreadsheet or use through a Google Sheets add-on.

Tools of this type can reduce the time needed to locate functions and assemble syntax, but they do not automatically understand the hidden business rules within the entire workbook. The column positions, data types, regional settings, and boundary conditions still need to be specified and verified by the user.

Main functions

Generating Excel formulas in natural language

Users can describe requirements such as summation, conditional logic, searching for matches, date processing, text splitting, or multi-condition aggregation, and the system will return the corresponding Excel formulas. The generated results should be in line with the actual column names, cell ranges, and Excel version.

Generation of Google Sheets formulas

The public product documentation supports Google Sheets, and an official Workspace plugin is also available. Sheets is quite compatible with Excel’s functions, but there may still be syntax differences regarding arrays, queries, range settings, and new functions.

Formula explanation

The historical product description includes the capability to convert complex formulas into explanations in plain language, making it useful for working with old workbooks or for reviewing nested logic. Such explanations serve only as a aid to reading; they cannot replace the verification of formula outputs using actual sample data.

SQL statement generation

The Marketplace description explicitly states that SQL can be generated, making it suitable for converting requirements related to filtering, grouping, joining, and aggregation into query drafts. Developers are responsible for addressing any differences in database dialects, table structures, field types, and permissions.

VBA code generation

The historical product pages and release materials mentioned that VBA was used for creating tools that could handle repetitive table operations and enable simple automation. The current website does not provide any comprehensive functional documentation to clarify the full scope of support, so it cannot be assumed that complex macros, event handling, or external connections can be created using this method.

Regular expression generation

Historical functions also include converting text matching requirements into regular expressions, which is useful for cleaning up numbers, email addresses, dates, or text in a fixed format. The regular expression syntax used by different tools and programming languages isn’t exactly the same, so it’s necessary to specify the target environment.

Google Sheets sidebar

The Workspace plugin allows third-party web content and sidebars to be displayed in Google Sheets, thereby reducing the need to copy data back and forth between the browser and the spreadsheet. Its permissions include the ability to create, view, modify, and delete all of a user’s Google Sheets; it is important to evaluate these permissions carefully before installing it.

Input and output

Tutorial on creating Excel formulas

1. First, identify the input columns, output columns, and starting row in the table, and note down the actual column letters or table names.
2. State the business objective in one sentence, and provide at least one example of input and desired output.
3. Specify the Excel version, regional settings, whether the data contains null values, and whether downward filling is required.
4. Use Formula Dog to generate the formula, then paste the result into the test copy of the workbook.
5. Verify the results using normal values, null values, duplicate values, invalid values, and boundary dates.
6. Apply it to the entire column after confirming its accuracy, and add explanations and version records to the key formulas.

Used in Google Sheets plugins

1. First, check the update date, developer information, and list of permissions on the Workspace plugin page.
2. Install and authorize it in non-sensitive test sheets, avoiding the use of workbooks that contain customer or financial data from the very beginning.
3. Open the sidebar and describe the formula requirements and the relevant columns in natural language.
4. Check whether the returned formula uses functions supported by Sheets and the parameter separators appropriate for the current region.
5. Run it on a small number of test rows; once the results are confirmed, expand it to the full range of data.
6. When it is no longer in use, revoke access from the third-party app permissions of the Google account.

Secure processes for generating SQL and VBA code

1. Only the necessary example table structures are provided; no real accounts, keys, customer data, or complete information about production databases are shared.
2. Specify the database dialect or Excel environment, and require that the output include comments and error handling.
3. First, read each query or macro instruction to identify deletions, overwrites, external requests, and infinite loops.
4. Execute in a read-only database, test workbook, or sandbox copy.
5. Check the number of rows returned, execution time, data changes, and error logs before deciding whether to deploy it in the production environment.

How to verify formulas generated by AI

1. Create a small test table that includes normal values, blanks, zero, negative numbers, duplicates, and abnormal text.
2. Manually calculate a few rows of expected results as a reference answer.
3. Test the changes in references for the formula in the first row, the middle row, and the last row respectively.
4. Check whether error handling masks the actual data issues, and avoid using an empty string to suppress errors without any consideration.
5. When searching for and aggregating formulas, check for duplicate keys, missing keys, as well as case and spacing issues.
6. Save the test case so that a regression check can be run again when the formula is modified in the future.

Which users are it suitable for

• Excel beginners: They know what they want to calculate, but cannot remember the function names or the nested syntax.
• Operations and marketing staff: need to quickly aggregate data related to campaigns, channels, customers, or content.
• Product and analysts: Convert business problems into formulas or SQL drafts, and then verify them themselves.
• Financial and administrative staff: Handle duplicate calculations and text cleaning, but manual review must be retained.
• Google Sheets users: They would like to be able to enter formulas in the sidebar of the table, thereby reducing the number of page transitions.
• Developing learners: Understand common syntax through formula explanations, SQL, and regular expression drafts.

Typical use cases

• Sum, count, or calculate the average based on multiple conditions, and handle blank and error values.
• Find matching fields between the two tables based on order number, email, or product code.
• Split names, clean text, extract numbers, or standardize date formats.
• Generate a preliminary draft of SQL for group aggregation and table joins, intended for read-only analysis.
• Explain the long formulas in the workbook, and identify each level of conditional logic and search logic.
• Create simple VBA macros to batch-format, copy, or organize worksheets.

Product advantages

• Convert business language into formulas to reduce the time spent consulting function documentation and searching for examples.
• It supports both Excel and Google Sheets, making it suitable for common office spreadsheet tasks.
• Historical products not only generate formulas but also extend to include explanations, SQL, VBA, and regular expressions.
• A sidebar plugin for Workspace was provided, enabling certain interactions within tables.
• The historical public pricing structure is simple, without complex corporate sales processes.
• It is suitable for generating drafts first for user review, rather than requiring fully automated deployment.

Usage restrictions and risks

• The current site structure differs significantly from that of the old product pages, and it is necessary to conduct actual tests to determine whether the core generation service is still operational.
• The prices listed in the search summary may be based on outdated data; it is not possible to make a payment or set up a long-term budget without viewing the settlement page first.
• The last public update for the Workspace plugin was in 2023; its compatibility, security maintenance, and support responsiveness need to be reevaluated.
• Plugins that request extensive permissions to view, modify, and delete all Google Sheets data are not suitable for corporate data that has not been approved.
• AI is unaware of the underlying business rules in the workbook, and may generate formulas that are syntactically correct but logically flawed.
• SQL or VBA outputs may pose performance, security, or destructive risks; they must not be executed directly in a production environment.
• The current link to the original privacy and terms of service does not provide the actual text of those policies; the rules regarding data retention, training, and deletion are not clear.
• The public functions are primarily designed for input in natural English language; there is no clear information available regarding support for Chinese prompts and localized interfaces.
• No public APIs, official SDKs, or verifiable official open-source repositories were found.

Prices and packages

The current search page still shows the historical public prices for the three options of Free bowl, 100 servings, and Bottomless bowl; however, the site structure has changed, and it is not possible to determine the availability of payment options and subscription services from the current policy page. The table below is intended only to illustrate the prices listed on the page as verified, and it should not be considered a permanent commitment.

The old version of the product’s page used the number of formulas as the main unit for billing; it did not offer options related to team management, corporate contracts, concurrency, or API packages. Since the effective terms of service and privacy policy are not currently readable, it is necessary to verify the policies regarding purchases, refunds, renewals, invoices, and data handling before making any payment.

How to choose between the free version and the paid version

Google Sheets plugin permissions

Privacy and data security

The Marketplace provides links to separate privacy policies and terms of service, but the current privacy page does not contain the relevant information; the links to those terms lead to general content directories rather than the actual legal text. It is not possible to determine the duration for which formulas, prompts, table data, and account information are retained, nor what purposes they are used for, who the sub-processors are, or what the procedures for deletion are.

The permissions granted by the Formula Dog plugin go far beyond the basic functions needed to generate a single formula; it includes the ability to view, modify, and delete entire Google Sheets. Organizational administrators should consider it as a third-party application that has access to the entire sheet structure, and therefore review it accordingly.

• It is preferable to test the plugin using a blank test account and fake data, rather than connecting it directly to the enterprise owner’s account.
• The prompt only provides column structures and anonymous examples; it does not include customer names, financial data, or keys.
• Record permissions before installation, and check third-party app access in the Google account after use.
• Regularly back up critical workbooks, and restrict which members can install Marketplace applications.
• Do not process regulated data when no valid privacy policy and data processing agreement are available.
• After ceasing use, revoke the authorization and inquire with the service provider about how to delete the uploaded content.

Supported platforms

APIs, GitHub, and open source status

No public API, SDK, command-line tools, or key management page for Formula Dog were found, nor was there any official GitHub repository belonging to the company. The fact that Formula Dog is listed among third-party tools does not mean that its source code is available publicly.

Formula Dog should be classified as a closed-source commercial product; the public distribution of a Google Sheets plugin does not imply that its source code is available. When batch automation or system integration is required, it is necessary to choose products that offer official interfaces, rate limits, and data protocols.

Current availability checklist

Basic information

Recommendation score

Recommendation score: 2.9 / 5. Formula Dog has an intuitive design; its low-cost formula generation tool, along with the sidebar in Sheets, is attractive to users who work with personal spreadsheets. Its support for formulas, SQL, VBA, and regular expressions is also quite useful.

The biggest issue at present is not the number of functions, but rather the status of the platform, the effective policies in place, and the transparency regarding maintenance. Individuals can try using the service for free with fictional data, while companies, those dealing with sensitive data, and those requiring long-term subscriptions should wait until the service’s status and privacy policies are clarified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Formula Dog do?

It converts natural language tasks into Excel or Google Sheets formulas; for historical data, it also supports formula explanations, SQL, VBA, and regular expression drafts.

Can Formula Dog still be used?

Public searches still show the generators and prices, and the Workspace plugins are also listed; however, the readable homepage of the current site has been replaced by a content catalog. The core generation and paid features can only be confirmed after being tested by users in practice.

Is Formula Dog free?

The old page still shows a free tier of 0 dollars, but it does not display the specific number of uses allowed or the current account rules. It is necessary to go through the generation process first to check whether a free quota is still available.

How much is Formula Dog?

The public page indicates that generating a formula 100 times costs $5 per time, while an unlimited version costs $8 per month; however, these prices may be based on old pages that are still indexed. The current pricing information must be taken into account before making a payment.

Does it support Excel or Google Sheets?

Both are mentioned in the product’s official documentation. Excel is usually used by copying formulas, while Google Sheets offers Marketplace plugins.

Is Chinese prompt support available?

The product mainly promotes the conversion of English descriptions into formulas; there is no stable support in Chinese. Chinese-language requirements can be tested with simple tasks, but full localization should not be assumed.

Is the formula generated necessarily correct?

Not necessarily. AI may misinterpret column meanings, regional settings, null values, or business rules; it must be tested using sample data before being used in actual workbooks.

Can SQL be generated?

The Marketplace description mentions SQL generation, but no complete documentation is available at present. Database dialects and table structures should be provided, and the system should only be run in read-only or testing environments.

Can VBA macros be created?

Historical product documentation mentions that VBA is used for its creation; the current scope of support and maintenance status are unclear. Any macro should first check for files, perform deletion operations, use loops, and establish external connections.

Is the Google Sheets plugin safe?

It requests extensive permissions such as the ability to view, modify, and delete all Google Sheets documents, which presents a significantly higher risk than merely reading the contents of individual cells. It is recommended to use such accounts only for testing purposes, and to revoke those permissions once they are no longer needed.

How long has it been since the plugin was last updated?

The Marketplace page shows that the last update date was February 28, 2023. An older date does not necessarily mean it cannot be used, but it is necessary to conduct additional checks regarding compatibility and response times for maintenance.

Are APIs provided?

No public API, key console, or development documentation was found. Formula Dog is not suitable for batch automation projects that rely on formal interfaces.

Is Formula Dog open source?

It is not open source. No official GitHub repository or open-source license could be found, and the availability of a Workspace plugin does not mean that the source code is made public.

Will it save the content of my table?

The current text of the privacy policy is not verifiable; it is therefore impossible to determine the rules regarding the collection, retention, and use of prompts, formulas, and table data. Sensitive data should not be submitted.

Is it suitable for direct deployment by enterprises?

It is not appropriate at the moment. Companies should first verify that the product will continue to operate, that there are effective data policies in place, that proper permissions for plugins exist, as well as what support is available and what contractual responsibilities apply, before deciding whether to allow employees access to it.

What are the alternative methods?

You can use the built-in formula help in Excel or Google Sheets, table AI for business management, or provide an anonymous structure to a general-purpose model to generate a draft. In any case, it is necessary to test the formulas.

Summary

Formula Dog offered a simple, low-cost way to create formulas in natural language, thereby overcoming the barriers associated with table syntax; its Google Sheets plugin made the formula creation process more similar to everyday work tasks. It is suitable as a tool for drafting formulas and aiding learning, but not as an automated decision-making tool that operates without any human oversight.

As of this verification, the structure of the content on this site is clearly separate from that of the old product pages, and there is a lack of information regarding policies and maintenance details. It is recommended that individual users try it out only in non-sensitive testing environments, and decide whether to continue using it after confirming that all aspects such as creation, pricing, refunds, and privacy are functioning properly.