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Getting started

This guide takes you from installing the XLlama add-in to your first AI answer inside Excel. The longest step is the one-time model download.

1. Install the add-in #

  • In Excel (Windows, or the web in Edge/Chrome), go to Home > Add-ins (or Insert > Get Add-ins), search for XLlama, and click Add.
  • An XLlama button appears on the Home tab; click it to open the task pane.

2. Install Ollama and a model #

  • Download Ollama from ollama.com, install it, and make sure it is running.
  • In a terminal, download a model once: ollama pull gemma3:4b (about 3 GB, a good starting point). Not sure which model fits your machine? See which model to pick.

3. Allow Excel to talk to Ollama #

Ollama only accepts requests from origins you allow. The add-in shows the exact command with a Copy button when needed; on Windows it is:

setx OLLAMA_ORIGINS "https://addins.pythonandvba.com"

Run it once in a terminal, then restart Ollama. Reopen the task pane and it connects.

4. Run your first prompt #

  • Pick your model at the top of the pane.
  • Click Create demo sheet in the Get started card: it inserts sample data plus three live =XLLAMA formulas, including a spilled =XLLAMA.EXTRACT table, that compute immediately.
  • Select some cells and use the Summarize selection chip to chat about your own data.
  • In any empty cell, try =XLLAMA.PROMPT("Say hello in one word").

5. Pro features #

The free tier allows up to 5 XLLAMA formulas per sheet. A Pro license unlocks unlimited formulas and the live-typing =XLLAMA.STREAM: open the menu, go to the License tab, paste the key from your purchase email, and save.

Platform notes #

  • Excel for Mac / Safari: WebKit blocks web add-ins from calling local servers, so the AI features cannot work there. The pane shows guidance, including an HTTPS-Ollama workaround for advanced users.
  • iPad / Excel 2019: not available (the formulas need the shared runtime).

Having trouble? #

If the pane says it cannot reach Ollama, check that Ollama is running, that you ran the origins command above, and that you restarted Ollama afterwards. Otherwise contact support.