OpenAI patents AI that builds and fixes spreadsheets for you
OpenAI has patented a system where an AI assistant can create and edit spreadsheets based on user requests. It works by performing standard editing steps, checking the math for errors, and automatically fixing any mistakes it finds.
In the filing’s own words
The present technology pertains to a generative response engine receiving, from a user interface, a prompt that defines an agentic task to compose a spreadsheet content item. The agentic task is one in which the generative response engine performs an action as an agent of a user account and the action involves using a spreadsheet tool. The generative response engine composes the spreadsheet content item by invoking one or more high-intent operations that are provided to the spreadsheet tool. The one or more high-intent operations specify respective semantic editing operations for spreadsheets that correspond to human user editing actions. The generative response engine iteratively repeats invoking of the one or more high-intent operations until the agentic task is complete.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: receiving, by a generative response engine, a prompt that defines an agentic task to compose a spreadsheet content item; and performing, by the generative response engine, the agentic task to compose the spreadsheet content item using one or more spreadsheet editing operations, wherein performing the agentic task includes: recalculating spreadsheet formulas in the spreadsheet content item after one or more spreadsheet editing operations to produce recalculation results; detecting based on the recalculation results, one or more formula errors in the spreadsheet content item; and responsive to detecting the one or more formula errors, generating and applying, by the generative response engine, one or more additional spreadsheet editing operations that modify at least one of cell values, cell formulas, or cell formatting to correct the one or more formula errors.
Facts
- Company
- OpenAI (OpenAI OpCo, LLC)
- Official title
- Artificial intelligence assisted generation and editing of spreadsheets
- Patent number
- US12762334B1
- Application number
- 19569778
- Filed
- Mar 17, 2026
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 40/18 Physics & computingG06F 40/103 Physics & computingG06F 40/40 Physics & computingG06V 30/412 Physics & computingMore from OpenAI in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.