Type a question in Chat and choose Send. Keep Selected cells checked to attach your selection, or turn it off for a general question.
The label above Selected cells shows the current range and cell count before sending. It updates when you change the selection; empty edges are trimmed when the request is prepared.
Select separate ranges #
Hold Ctrl while selecting another range, for example A1:A5 and D1:D5. XLlama sends each selected range separately. Cells between those ranges are not included. Empty outer rows and columns are trimmed within each range.
Choose the data format #
Open Settings → Selected data format, then save:
- Table (simple, default): sends a range label followed by plain table rows. Useful for summaries and comparisons. Existing formulas follow the table.
- Cell references: labels each value, such as
A1: "Product"andD3: "99". Useful when asking about specific cells or writing a formula.
Both formats include existing formulas and support separate selected ranges. This setting changes chat attachments; it does not change XLLAMA worksheet formula arguments.
Choose how much data to send #
XLlama trims empty outer rows and columns first. If the remaining data exceeds the cell or text limit, it asks you to choose:
- Send all data: send all values and formulas in the selected ranges, without shortening. Large requests can be slow or exceed your model’s context or memory limit.
- Use sample: send the displayed rows and columns, starting with the first selected range. The attachment and the model’s context are labeled as a sample. Findings may miss information elsewhere.
- Send without cells: send this question without attaching the current selection. Earlier messages in this conversation still apply.
- Cancel: keep your question so you can select a smaller range.
The sample preview shows what will be included. Samples contain up to 1,000 cells and 24,000 characters, with long cell values limited to 500 characters each. Send all data bypasses these limits. Range and row labels preserve positions when empty rows are omitted. The sample allowance is shared across all selected ranges; later ranges may be omitted from a sample.
While reading all the data, XLlama shows progress. Choose Stop to cancel. No Free response is used until answer text starts. XLlama sends the full input, but your model may still be unable to process it all.
Very large full-data attachments are sent for that question only. Your question, answer and a short preview are saved; reattach the data for follow-up questions that need it.
Continue or start fresh #
The conversation dropdown switches between saved chats. Choose + for a new conversation. It does not delete existing chats. The actions menu offers Rename, Export and Delete.
Each request includes up to the last 12 messages (six exchanges), within a total context budget. Up to 30 messages are retained per saved conversation, and up to 20 conversations are saved. Repeat critical details when older context is needed.
Drafts and retries #
Unfinished questions are saved locally as you type. Reopening Excel restores the last active draft. Other unfinished chats appear in the conversation dropdown with a Draft label. You can keep up to 20 drafts; deleting a chat also deletes its draft.
If a request fails or you stop it, your question returns to the input box. Retry uses the original question and captured attachment, even if you have since selected different cells. Very large attachments and incomplete reads cannot be kept for retry: choose Reattach data, select the cells again and press Send. Retry uses your currently selected model and settings. A retry counts as a new Free response once answer text appears.
If a completed answer cannot be saved, it stays available with a separate warning. Choose Save again after fixing the storage problem. You can switch chats and return to the conversation marked not saved while the pane stays open. Copy or export it before closing Excel. If storage is full, export and delete an older chat, then return and choose Save again.
Use an answer #
Answers display headings, lists, tables and code. Copy, Insert in cell and New sheet use the answer as text.
Insert a working Excel formula #
- Ask for an Excel formula. When the answer contains a formula beginning with
=, choose Insert formula…. - Check or edit the formula. If several formulas are offered, choose the one you want. Use English function names and commas, as in
=SUM(A1:A4). - Enter one destination cell on the active sheet, such as I1, and choose Review insertion.
- Check the workbook, sheet, destination and any content that would be replaced. Choose Insert formula to apply it, or Cancel.
Ollama proposes the formula; XLlama writes it only after your confirmation. Excel calculates the result. Formulas that return multiple values can spill into adjacent empty cells. If the destination changes during review, XLlama asks you to review again.
Choose an editable cell outside merged cells, existing array or spilled formulas, and Excel tables. Table formulas can automatically fill an entire column. External workbook links, macro calls and network functions are not supported by this insertion tool. You can still copy any proposed formula for manual review.
Stopped or failed partial answers are not saved as a completed conversation exchange. Copy any partial text you need before leaving the chat.