Sourcetable unveils first AI-driven spreadsheet solution

An artificial intelligence startup, Sourcetable, has launched what it describes as the world's first autonomous spreadsheet, capable of automating common analytical workflows through AI.

According to Sourcetable, this new "self-driving" spreadsheet utilises AI to complete analysis and operations-focused tasks. With natural language prompts, users can issue commands via keyboard or voice, enabling AI to take over the manipulation and interpretation of spreadsheet data.

The company highlights that whilst 750 million people use spreadsheets daily, only 20% possess the ability to navigate beyond basic functions such as VLOOKUP or pivot tables. The new technology aims to bridge this gap, making data analysis more accessible to the general populace.

Alongside the product launch, Sourcetable announced the successful closure of a USD $4.3 million funding round. The funding was led by Bee Partners and saw participation from several investors including Julien Chaumond, co-founder of Hugging Face, Preston-Werner Ventures, Roger Bamford from MongoDB, and James Beshara of Magic Mind.

CEO and Co-founder of Sourcetable, Eoin McMillan, commented on the potential this innovation has to shift the way people interact with spreadsheets: "AI is the biggest platform shift since the browser, with a bigger opportunity for disruption. Sourcetable is building the AI spreadsheet for the next billion users, be they human or AI." He further suggested that the integration of AI into spreadsheet tasks will democratise data analysis: "As AI makes analysis easier, everybody will become an analyst. Sourcetable's AI automation ushers in a new era of productivity and human cognition."

McMillan and Co-founder Andrew Grosser leveraged their expertise in machine learning and AI from previous ventures to develop Sourcetable. This experience allowed them to create a product that exceeds the existing capabilities of established spreadsheet programmes like Excel and Google Sheets by adding full automation functions.

Sourcetable's autopilot mode is capable of executing a range of complex tasks such as constructing financial models, creating pivot tables, and generating charts and graphs with minimal user input. The AI can interpret data context and work with unstructured data, asking for clarification only when necessary.

Tracey Paist, a training specialist, shared her experience with Sourcetable: "I was stuck working with multiple spreadsheets for training timetables, this was my Excel emergency moment and I turned to Sourcetable. I was able to reduce my spreadsheet work from a couple of hours to minutes."

The flexibility of Sourcetable's AI, which can incorporate various models, distinguishes it from other spreadsheet solutions. By integrating models from leading AI developers, Sourcetable ensures users have access to the latest advancements in AI technology.

Michael Berolzheimer, Managing Partner at Bee Ventures, remarked on this shift in data analysis tools: "For decades, we've been stuck in a world with those who know Excel, and those who don't. Not anymore. Today's AI supercycle demands that all of our interfaces transform to become useful for both humans and machines, and they all demand a new data architecture." He attributed Sourcetable's success to the team's innovative approach.

The ambition of Sourcetable expands beyond spreadsheets, with plans to develop a comprehensive platform enabling AI agents and applications to operate seamlessly, impactfully altering how businesses engage with data.