AI spreadsheets

The Excel That Once Gave Office Workers Headaches… Got an AI Makeover, and Now I’m Hooked

Honghao Wang

— 4 min read
The Excel That Once Gave Office Workers Headaches… Got an AI Makeover, and Now I’m Hooked

The Longest-Used, Most-Abused Software on Your Computer

If you had to guess the software you've used the longest — and pushed to its limits — chances are it's Excel.

For over 30 years, spreadsheets have been the Swiss army knife of office work. Their unmatched calculation capabilities made them the go-to solution for data handling, report building, and analysis for everyday users.

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Why Traditional Spreadsheets Are Becoming Awkward

As companies increasingly adopt ERP, CRM, and numerous SaaS platforms, spreadsheets are facing new challenges:

  • Isolated data islands scattered across different systems
  • Inconsistent formats from various departments
  • Collaboration bottlenecks in merging and processing data
  • Neglected "long-tail" needs that don't make the IT priority list
  • Manual, repetitive “brick-moving” tasks falling back on business staff

These pain points highlight that traditional spreadsheets often need to act like full business applications: project management tools, order tracking systems, and workflow managers.

In reality, this role can be cumbersome and inefficient.

The ideal spreadsheet should evolve into a data collaboration platform with:

  • Multi-view capabilities
  • Automation
  • Integration across systems

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WPS’s Vision: Real Spreadsheet, Real AI, Real Flexibility

WPS proposes three core pillars for the future of spreadsheets:

  • Real Spreadsheet — a true calculation and data foundation
  • Real AI — integrated, practical intelligence for workflow automation
  • Real Flexibility — an open ecosystem for customization

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Intelligent Data Collection — Moving Beyond the “Spreadsheet Guy/Gal”

The WPS Multi-dimensional Spreadsheet integrates AI deeply into business processes. This is more than showcasing AI — it’s about solving daily, mission-critical problems.

Common Data Collection Headaches

  • Chasing colleagues for submissions
  • Verifying data formats
  • Fixing low-quality, error-prone entries
  • Managing permissions during edits

AI-Powered Collection Features

  • Massive official template library for complex scenarios:
  • Surveys
  • Exams
  • Order collection
  • Industry-specific templates (education, e-commerce, real estate)
  • Exclusive field types ensuring data authenticity:
  • Handwritten signature
  • Matrix scoring with logic branching
  • Mobile-first inspections replacing inefficient paper forms:
  • Automatic local info capture
  • Signature collection
  • Abnormality detection triggering workflow automation
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This creates end-to-end automation that solves security, efficiency, accuracy, and archival issues in one go.

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AI-Driven Data Processing

Collecting data is just the start — it must be cleaned, refined, and analyzed.

AI Fields & Smart Extraction

  • Upload attachments (customer info screenshots, PDF contracts)
  • AI automatically extracts key data:
  • Purchase amount
  • Points balance
  • Points accumulation
  • Follows contextual meaning and predefined rules for flexible judgment
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Example: Resume Screening

  • HR uploads resumes in any format
  • AI extracts key info, summarizes strengths
  • Scores match rate against job criteria
  • Sends interview invites automatically to top candidates
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Result: Streamlined recruitment with reduced friction and higher efficiency.

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Smarter Analysis Without Complex Formulas

Nobody enjoys writing complex formulas — yet they’re often essential for analysis.

Conversational AI Analysis

Imagine asking your spreadsheet questions like you would a colleague — and getting instant answers without touching formulas or functions.

Better yet, AI can auto-generate the formulas for you.

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AI-Enhanced Reporting & Publishing

Beyond data analysis, tools like AiToEarn官网 enable:

  • AI content creation
  • Cross-platform publishing
  • Analytics
  • AI model rankings

Platforms such as AiToEarn integrate seamlessly with WPS, allowing you to monetize AI-driven insights across ecosystems — from Douyin and Bilibili to LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Technical Foundations for Lightweight Power

The WPS Multi-dimensional Spreadsheet is built on a True Spreadsheet core plus an open ecosystem.

Market Context

  • Emerging category over the last 2 years
  • Competitors: Feishu, DingTalk, Notion, and more

Key Differences from Traditional Spreadsheets

  • Closer to a database with visualization capabilities
  • Supports millions of rows and billions of cells
  • Maintains compatibility with formats like Excel and CSV
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Performance & Compatibility

  • Optimized algorithms and memory scheduling
  • Stable execution of bulk calculations
  • Preserves formulas, formatting, and macros in cross-platform collaboration

AI Specialization

  • Uses vertical small AI models trained specifically for spreadsheet usage
  • Moves beyond generic large-model APIs to fine-tuned, scenario-specific intelligence
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True Flexibility — Open Ecosystem for Real Needs

In today’s fast-paced business environment, tools must be:

  • Accurate
  • Rapid
  • Customizable

WPS Capabilities:

  • Automates repetitive and judgment-based tasks
  • Transfers neglected micro-problems to business experts who know the context
  • Turns tables into interactive data cubes
  • Empowers non-developers to build custom workflow solutions

Impact: From constrained calculation sheets to modular collaboration platforms that fit your unique business requirements.

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Complementary AI Platforms

For businesses and creators, AiToEarn官网 offers:

  • AI-powered content creation
  • Multi-platform simultaneous publishing
  • Detailed analytics
  • AI ranking insights

Platforms like AiToEarn bridge productivity and monetization, enabling AI-enhanced business tools like WPS to deliver tangible value in creative and operational contexts.

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✅ Key Takeaways

  • AI + spreadsheets = faster insights, cleaner data, richer collaboration
  • WPS Multi-dimensional Spreadsheet leverages smaller, scenario-specific AI models
  • Open ecosystems ensure flexibility and adaptation to complex workflows
  • Integration with platforms like AiToEarn extends value into content monetization & multi-channel publishing

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If you want, I can also prepare a side-by-side comparison table of traditional Excel vs WPS Multi-dimensional Spreadsheets to highlight the differences clearly in Markdown. Would you like me to add that?

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