Google Sheets adds cell-level sources: check each generated result

On October 28, 2026, Google announced changes to Fill with Gemini in Google Sheets: cells generated with the AI function can show the web sources they reference. Capacity also expands to as many as 3,000 cells per request.

The source feature is for the web version. The announcement describes a gradual rollout starting October 20, with up to 15 days for visibility. Eligible plans include Business Standard/Plus, Enterprise Standard/Plus, Google AI Pro/Ultra, Google AI Pro for Education and AI Expanded Access. Organization accounts also need Gemini in Sheets enabled. If the controls are missing, check account eligibility and rollout progress first.

Suppose you are compiling opening dates for several public museums. A neatly generated column might include an old announcement or mistake a temporary closure for a permanent schedule.

Cell-level sources let you begin with the questionable cell: open its citation and check the museum's identity, whether the dates apply to your intended visit, and whether the body mentions booking requirements. It provides a route back to evidence; a citation alone does not prove the conclusion correct.

This is a suggested use case. You can keep a separate column for your own verification notes, leaving unsupported rows marked “Needs confirmation.” Generation being complete does not mean the research is complete.

On a computer, open Google Sheets with an eligible account. Start with a few clearly identified subjects, such as a museum's full name and city in A2.

1. In B2, enter an AI function, for example =AI("Find this museum's opening dates this week and state the date range. If reliable information is unavailable, say it was not found", A2). This is a suggested prompt; A2 supplies the subject. The function also supports the name =Gemini(). Function syntax
2. Select the cell containing the AI function and click Generate and Insert. Review the generated text. The function does not automatically read the whole spreadsheet or other Drive files; provide relevant information through its range argument. Generation and data scope
3. Click the cell, hover over its content and choose Sources. Open the cited page to check the subject, dates and conditions. Keep the row unconfirmed if the original material does not support the result.
4. Use Refresh and Insert when you need a new output, then check its sources again. Confirm that these few rows work for your purpose before expanding to more. Each batch still needs checks appropriate to its intended use. Sources and refresh controls