How do you use AI inside Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides?

AI inside the file itself

If you work in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, you do not have to download a file, upload it to a chat, and copy the response back. There are two ways to have AI work inside the file: Gemini built into Google files, and the Claude for Google Workspace extension.

Gemini inside Google files

Accounts with Gemini (Google AI or Workspace plans) have a Gemini icon at the top right in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail. It opens a side panel where you can talk about the open file.

Docs: “Write a one-page summary of the report in this document.”
Sheets: “Create a column with the total for each customer.”
Slides: “Create a slide summarizing this paragraph with an illustration.”
Gmail: “Summarize this week's customer emails.”

The Claude extension for Google Workspace

Install it from Google Workspace Marketplace, then open any file and choose Extensions, then Claude, then Open Claude. It opens beside the file, sees its content and your selection, and edits the file itself.

Program	What Claude does
Docs	Edits sentences and headings in place. For major edits, it makes suggestions you can accept or reject.
Sheets	Writes formulas, creates summary tables and charts, and adds tabs.
Slides	Creates slides matching the presentation's design, and checks text that extends beyond the slide or is hard to read.

The extension is available on paid Claude plans and is still in beta. It has an “ask before editing” setting. Keep it on at first so you can approve each edit.

An example from a workday

You have a report in Docs. Open Claude beside it and ask, “Write a one-page summary at the beginning of the document.” Then open the sales spreadsheet and ask, “Create a total column and a percentage column, and highlight figures below target in red.” Finally, open the meeting presentation and ask, “Add a slide with the 3 most important figures from the spreadsheet.”

A prompt inside the file

Copy the prompt as it is, or tailor it with your details first.

Tailor the prompt to your workOptional: add your details and the prompt adjusts itself

Open fileTask

View full prompt

In [open file], I want [task]. Use only the content already in the file and preserve the current formatting. Before editing anything that exists, tell me what you will change.

If you are missing information that would change the result, ask me first.
Before you deliver: check that the original formatting is unchanged, and tell me exactly what you changed.

Try it now

Try it in your work

A formula in your work spreadsheet

Open a spreadsheet from your work and ask Gemini or Claude for a new calculated column. Check the result manually on two rows before relying on it.