AI Formula Assistant for Worksheets
Introduction
In Workday Worksheets, writing and understanding formulas was a key barrier for adoption and collaboration. Less experienced users struggled to write formulas from scratch, while advanced users found interpreting others' complex formulas challenging.
The Problem
Users lacked confidence and clarity when working with formulas, slowing workflows and hindering collaboration.
My Approach
Conducted user research to understand pain points and skill gaps
Collaborated with PM and engineers to define scope and technical feasibility
Led usability testing and iterated designs based on findings
Focused on building trust and transparency into AI-generated suggestions
Goals
Reduce friction when creating new formulas
Improve understanding of existing formulas
Build confidence in formula logic
Increase adoption of Worksheets' formula capabilities
Solution
We introduced Formula Assistant, with two features: Formula Writer (generate formulas from natural language) and Explain Formula (provide plain language explanations of existing formulas).
Formula Writer
Quickly generate new formulas by typing what you need in natural language. The tool suggests a formula and explains what it does, helping users trust and validate the result.
Explain Formula
Right-click on any formula to get a plain language explanation of how it works, making it easier to understand and edit complex formulas from others.
Design Considerations
I focused on making both tools feel simple, supportive, and trustworthy. Key design decisions included:
Ensuring the Formula Writer blended seamlessly into the workflow, offering guidance without disrupting the user experience
Ensuring the explanation tool delivered just enough detail without being overly technical
Creating consistent interaction patterns that aligned with existing spreadsheet behaviors
Designing with flexibility for a range of skill levels, from first-time users to seasoned analysts
The Impact
Formula Assistant expanded adoption among less experienced users, improved formula accuracy and confidence, and reduced reliance on external tools.