# FAQ
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/Help/FAQ
Everything you need to know about Elkar
## π Need Help? We're Here for You
[**contact@elkar.co**](mailto:contact@elkar.co)\
We respond quickly.
**We're on Discord!**\
Tips, examples, and live discussions.
## Data & Privacy
Yes, even if you use your own API key, requests are routed through Elkar's backend. This is where we:
* Build optimized prompts for better results
* Coordinate agent-based task execution
* Ensure consistent, high-quality outputs
* Route intelligently across different models
Think of it as a conductor orchestrating your AI workflow for the best possible experience.
## Billing & Usage
**Elkar Pro Plan includes unlimited requests!**
You can view your real-time usage on your [Elkar dashboard](https://sheets-app.elkar.co/).
**Yes it's part of our Enterprise Plan.** You can plug in your own API key. However, routing will still go through Elkar's backend to ensure optimal prompt engineering and task coordination. You can directly contact us for more information.
**Absolutely.** You can cancel or downgrade your subscription at any time from your account settings.
Your plan will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle (monthly or annually).
Go to your [Elkar dashboard](https://sheets-app.elkar.co/) where you can:
* Update your billing information
* Download all your invoices
* View payment history
* Manage your subscription
## Technical Support
**Try these steps:**
* Be more specific with your requests (include column names, desired outputs)
* Check your internet connection
* If your data is very large, Elkar may time out: Try simplifying or splitting your request
* It could also be a temporary issue with our AI provider: Try selecting a different LLM in the settings or refreshing your session
## Enterprise & Advanced Features
**Yes!** Our Enterprise Plan includes:
* **On-premise deployment** options
* **Direct LLM API connections** (bypass our backend if needed)
* **Enhanced security** : SAML/OIDC SSO
* **Dedicated support** and onboarding
* **Admin dashboard** with user stats
* **Centralized billing**
**Contact our team** to discuss enterprise requirements.
***
# Data Security & Privacy
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/Help/data-security
Your data security is our top priority. Elkar is designed with privacy-first principles to protect your sensitive spreadsheet files.
## Core Security Principles
### Privacy-First Architecture
**Your data isnβt stored,** spreadsheet content is processed in real-time and deleted after each request, except for chat history if enabled.
**All data is encrypted** using TLS 1.2 or higher during transmission between your device and our servers.
**Choose your AI provider.** Select from OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, Gemini, or bring your own API key.
**Our partnerships** ensure your data is never used for AI model training by any provider.
## How Your Data Flows
When you interact with Elkar, your spreadsheet data is:
* **Encrypted** before leaving your device
* **Processed** in real-time on secure servers
* **Analyzed** by our AI orchestration layer
* **Returned** with results to your spreadsheet
* **Never used** for re-training
After processing:
* **Spreadsheet content** is immediately deleted
* **Zero data retention** beyond active session
* **No conversation history** stored
* **Processing logs** contain no sensitive data
* **Results** are delivered directly to your Excel/GSheets
If enabled, only conversation text is stored:
* Conversation text**encrypted and stored**
* Access previous conversations across sessions
* **Can be disabled and deleted** anytime from [dashboard settings](https://sheets-app.elkar.co/settings)
## Enterprise Security Options
### For organizations with advanced security requirements:
Deploy Elkar entirely within your infrastructure for complete data control.
Connect your own LLM APIs directly. Check **Bring Your Own Key** below.
Implement your organization's specific security and compliance requirements.
Priority support from our team.
### Available Enterprise Options:
* **Single Sign-On (SSO)** integration
* **Role-based access control**
* **Custom data residency** requirements
* **Bring Your Own Key** (BYOK)
## Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)
**Use your own API keys** for control while still benefiting from Elkar's intelligence
**Benefits of BYOK:**
* Direct relationship with AI provider
* Complete control over data processing agreements
* Still routed through Elkar for optimal results
## Compliance & Certifications
### Current Status
**Currently undergoing SOC2 certification process** to formalize our information security management systems.
Expected completion: Q3 2025
**Fully GDPR compliant** with:
* Right to data deletion
* Data processing transparency
* Minimal data collection principles
* User consent management
## Transparency & Control
### What you can control f**rom your dashboard:**
* Enable/disable chat history
* Delete conversation history
* Manage API key settings
* View usage analytics
We're committed to maintaining the highest security standards while providing powerful AI capabilities. Your trust is our foundation.
# Error Check
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/features/error
Find and fix errors before they become expensive mistakes. Elkar scans your entire workbook to catch issues other tools miss.
**90% of spreadsheets contain errors** that can cost companies millions. Elkar prevents these costly mistakes.
## With one click, Elkar now:
* **Scans** your entire sheet in seconds
* **Spots** formula errors and inconsistencies
* **Shows** critical errors first, **explains** impact of each issue
* **Suggests** specific solutions you can implement with one click
## What Elkar Catches
**Inconsistent formulas** across rows, broken references, circular calculations
**Type mismatches**, missing values, formatting inconsistencies
**Calculation errors**, wrong assumptions, faulty business logic
**Broken links** between sheets, reference errors, orphaned data
## How It Works
1. **Open Elkar** in Excel or Google Sheets
2. **Click** **"Error Check"** β **"Start Analysis"**
3. **Review** the issues
4. Click **"Apply Fix"** β done!
**Pro tip:** Run error detection before important presentations or decisions. It takes 30s and can save thousands.
## Live Demo: Error Check
# PDF Import & Formatting
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/features/pdf
Stop copy-pasting from PDFs. Elkar intelligently extracts tables and data, delivering perfectly formatted Excel spreadsheets in seconds.
## What Elkar Does With Your PDFs
Turn any entire PDF into a clean, usable table
**Extract specific fields** across multiple PDFs to match existing headers
Fill in missing data in your current table
## Use Cases
**P\&L statements, balance sheets, cash flows** with proper accounting format
**Sales reports, research data, survey results** with automatic column detection
**Line items, totals, tax calculations** extracted and organized
**Academic tables, business data, statistical reports** ready for analysis
## How It Works
1. **Upload your PDF** - Click on the "Upload PDF" icon on the bottom right
2. **Ask Elkar what to do**\
You can choose from built-in prompts or write your own request: :
* *βExtract all information from this document.β*
* *βFill in one row per document using the existing column headers.β*
* *βComplete the missing cells in this table.β*
3. **Get results -** Elkar scans, maps relationships, and delivers formatted and organized data instantly
**Pro tip:** Works best with structured PDFs (tables, reports). For scanned documents, ensure text is clear and readable.
## **Real** Examples
**PDF:** Quarterly P\&L with revenue, expenses, and profit margins
**Result:**
* Revenue numbers in currency format
* Percentage margins properly formatted
* Quarterly columns aligned
* Subtotals and totals preserved
* Ready for further analysis or consolidation
**PDF:** Multi-page sales report with regional breakdowns
**Result:**
* All regions in separate columns
* Product categories properly grouped
* Sales figures maintain number formatting
* Date ranges correctly interpreted
* Formulas added for totals and averages
**PDF:** Academic paper with statistical tables
**Result:**
* Column headers properly identified
* Statistical data maintains precision
* Footnotes and sources noted
* Ready for statistical analysis
## Live Demo: PDF
# Create your Formatting Rules
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/features/rules
**Create personalized formatting preferences** that match your unique workflow. Elkar learns from it and applies consistent formatting across all your spreadsheets.
### Key Benefits:
* **Workflow Consistency**: Apply your company's formatting standards automatically
* **Time Savings**: Set rules once, apply everywhere
* **Project Flexibility**: Activate/deactivate rules per file or project
* **Dashboard Management**: Control all rules from your [dashboard](https://sheets-app.elkar.co/)
### Example Rule:
*"Show percentages with one decimal place, keep raw data in a dedicated 'Data' sheet, highlight inputs in blue and titles in dark green."*
### How It Works:
1. **Go to your dashboard** >"Elkar Rules" OR **Go to Excel chat** directly and click "Rule"
2. Define your formatting preferences
3. Test on a sample spreadsheet
4. Activate it or not depending on your projects
# Formula Tracing
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/features/tracing
Understand any Excel formula in plain English. Debug complex calculations and optimize performance.
## Never get lost lost again
Decode any complex formula in seconds whether you built it or inherited it.
* Understand formulas built by previous team members
* Decode complex financial models
* Figure out why calculations seem wrong
## What Elkar Explains
**Nested IF statements**, SUMPRODUCT, array formulas, and advanced functions
**What cells affect this formula** and how changes will impact results
**Step-by-step breakdown** of how the calculation works
\*\*Understand the logic \*\*behind models and draw clear business insights from the data
## How It Works
1. **Click on any cell** with a formula you want to understand
2. **Hit "Trace"** and **click the +** on the right
3. **Explore** the explanation and **retrace** every sub-calculations
**Pro tip:** Use formula tracing when taking over someone else's spreadsheet. It's like having the original builder explain their work.
## Live Demo: Tracing
***
# Web Search & Fetch
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/features/web
Bring the internet into your spreadsheet. Get live data, research information, and verify facts without ever leaving Excel.
**Instant access to live data** β’ **Research without leaving Excel** β’ **Always up-to-date information**
## Two Ways to Power Your Spreadsheet
### π Web Search: Ask Questions, Get Answers
Simply ask for the data you need in plain English. Elkar searches the web and delivers current information directly to your cells.
**Example requests:**
* "What's the current Uber stock price?"
* "Get Bitcoin price in EUR"
* "Find the US unemployment rate for 2024"
* "What's Apple's market cap today?"
### π Web Fetch: Extract Data from Any URL
Point Elkar to any webpage and watch it intelligently extract and format the data you need.
**Example requests:**
* "Get the top 10 box office movies from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_highest-grossing\_films](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_films)"
* "Extract the product prices from this page"
* "Pull the table data from this financial report"
* "Import all company contacts from this directory page"
## What You Can Do
**Real-Time Market Data**
* Stock prices with historical charts
* Cryptocurrency prices and market caps
* Currency exchange rates (150+ currencies)
* Commodity prices (gold, oil, wheat, etc.)
**Market Analytics**
* Index performance (S\&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones)
* Options data and implied volatility
* Bond yields and interest rates
* Market sentiment indicators
**Example:**
```text theme={null}
"Track AAPL, GOOGL, and MSFT prices with 52-week highs/lows"
```
**Company Information**
* Revenue and financial metrics
* Employee count and growth
* Funding rounds and valuations
* Executive team and board members
**Industry Analysis**
* Market size and growth rates
* Competitor comparisons
* Industry trends and forecasts
* Regulatory updates
**Example:**
```text theme={null}
"Compare revenue growth for Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash over 5 years"
```
**Structured Data**
* HTML tables from any website
* Product listings with prices
* Rankings and leaderboards
* Contact directories
**Document Parsing**
* PDF reports and statements
* Government statistics
* Academic research data
* Press releases
**Example:**
```text theme={null}
"Extract all smartphone specs and prices from this comparison site"
```
**Economic Indicators**
* GDP by country/region
* Inflation rates (CPI, PPI)
* Unemployment statistics
* Trade balance data
**Geographic Information**
* Population demographics
* Weather and climate data
* Real estate prices by region
* Cost of living indices
**Example:**
```text theme={null}
"Get inflation rates for G7 countries over the last decade"
```
## Live Demo: Web Search
# Excel Installation
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/getting-started/installation-excel
Get Started in 2 minutes
*Available on all versions of Excel: Windows app, Mac app, and Excel Online*
## Step 1: Download Elkar add-in
### Method 1: Direct from Microsoft AppSource
1. Go to [Microsoft AppSource ](https://appsource.microsoft.com/en-us/product/office/WA200008734?tab=Overview)and click on **"Get it now"** button to download Elkar
2. Open Excel, you'll find Elkar icon on the top right in the **Home** tab
### Method 2: From within Excel
1. Open Excel and click the **Home** tab in the ribbon
2. Select **Add-ins**
3. Choose **Store** from the dialog
4. Search for **"Elkar"** in the search box and click on **Add** to download it
5. You'll find Elkar icon on the top right in the **Home** tab
## Step 2: Create your Elkar Account
1. Go to the **Home** tab in Excel
2. Look for the **Elkar** button in the ribbon and click to open Elkar sidebar
3. **Sign up or sign in** with your Elkar account
4. Accept the permissions when asked
Elkar needs permission to read and modify your spreadsheet content to provide AI analysis and suggestions.
## Troubleshooting Installation
### Elkar button not appearing
1. Restart Excel completely
2. Check if add-ins are enabled in Excel settings
3. Try installing from Excel for the web first
### Permission errors
1. Ensure you're signed in to Microsoft 365
2. Check with your IT admin about add-in policies
3. Try using Excel for the web if desktop version has restrictions
## Ready to start?
Your installation is complete! Go to the [Quickstart Guide](/getting-started/quickstart) to analyze your first spreadsheet with AI.
**Need help?** Contact our support team at [contact@elkar.co](mailto:contact@elkar.co)
***
# Google Sheets Installation
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/getting-started/installation-google
Get Started in 2 minutes
## Step 1: Download Elkar extension
### Method 1: Direct from Google Workplace Marketplace
1. Go to Google [Workplace Marketplace](https://workspace.google.com/marketplace/app/elkar_ai_analyst_for_google_sheets%EF%B8%8F/917634370946) and click on **"Install"** button to download Elkar
2. Once **installed**, Go back to **Extensions**
3. Click on **Elkar β AI Analyst for Google Sheets,** then click **Open Chat**
### Method 2: From within Google Sheets
1. **Launch** Google Sheets and **open** any spreadsheet (or create a new one).
2. Click **Extensions** in the menu bar and select **Add-ons >** **Get add-ons**
3. **Find "Elkar β AI Analyst for Google Sheets"**, click **"Install"** to download Elkar
4. Go back to **Extensions** , click on **Elkar**, then click **Open Chat**
## Step 2: Create your Elkar Account
1. Go to **Extensions** tab in Google Sheets
2. Look for the **Elkar** button in the ribbon and click to open Elkar sidebar
3. **Sign up or sign in** with your Elkar account
4. Accept the permissions when asked
Elkar needs permission to read and modify your spreadsheet content to provide AI analysis and suggestions.
## Troubleshooting Installation
### I can't access Elkar after signing up
Elkar only works if the email you used to **sign up** matches the **Google account** you're currently signed in with.
## Ready to start?
Your installation is complete! Go to the [Quickstart Guide](/getting-started/quickstart) to analyze your first spreadsheet with AI.
**Need help?** Contact our support team at [contact@elkar.co](mailto:contact@elkar.co)
***
# Quickstart Guide
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/getting-started/quickstart
Transform your Spreadsheed workflow in just 5 minutes.
## Get Started Either Way
> ### π¨Auto-Save Recommanded
>
> \*\*Enable auto-save \*\*to safely experiment with formatting changes.\
> **Quick Setup:** β’ **File** β **Options** β **Save** β β *"AutoSave OneDrive and SharePoint Online files"*
>
> β¨ **Why?** You'll have the confidence to let Elkar transform your spreadsheets knowing you can always go back.
**With Existing Data >** Open your existing Spreadsheet file
Elkar works with files of any size and preserves all your existing formulas and formatting.
**Starting Fresh >** Create a new Excel workbook or Google Spreadsheet
Perfect for financial modeling, planning templates, or when you know what you want to create but need help structuring it.
Explain, debug, or generate complex formulas
Create professional visuals instantly
Build DCF, business or forecast models
Make messy datasets report-ready
Spot formula issues and inconsistencies
* Break down formulas into step-by-step calculations
Perfect format - structured to match your headers
Get live data and research capabilities without leaving
## Step 1: Start Your First Conversation
Open Elkar and tell it what you want to accomplish. Use natural language - no special commands needed.
### Try These Starter Prompts:
* What insights can you find in my data?
* Calculate profit margin as a percentage
* Build a chart of monthly sales per region
* Find duplicate entries in my customer list
* Build a P\&L forecast for Q3 with adjustable revenue growth and operating expenses
## Step 2: Watch Elkar Work
Elkar scans understand context and makes changes in real-time based on your request. You'll see the process step by step.
**Elkar's Unique Advantage**: Unlike general AI tools, Elkar can see across multiple sheets simultaneously and understands Spreadsheets-specific concepts like cell references, formulas, and data relationships.
## Step 3: Keep the Conversation Going
You can work with Elkar in two ways:
* Have a natural conversation to guide the analysis step by step
* Mix Elkarβs AI with your own Excel edits, letting the AI handle the complex tasks while you keep full control
With Elkar's Chat you can iterate and build sophisticated analysis through natural dialogue. **Example conversation:**
* **You:** "Analyze my sales data"
* **Elkar:** Provides insights and trends
* **You:** "Create a forecast for next quarter"
* **Elkar:** *Builds forecast based on the analysis*
* **You:** "What if we increase marketing spend by 30%?"
* **Elkar:** *Adjusts forecast with new assumptions*
Combine AI assistance with manual Excel work for maximum flexibility:
* Let Elkar create the initial structure
* Manually adjust formatting to your preferences
* Ask Elkar to analyze your manual additions
* Use AI for complex calculations, manual editing for presentation
## Need Help? We're Here for You
[**contact@elkar.co**](mailto:contact@elkar.co)\
We respond within 24h.
**We're on Discord!**\
Tips, examples, and live discussions.
[**Watch our use cases!**](/how-to/demo)\
Real examples, tutorials, and feature deep dives.
# Use Cases Demo
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/how-to/demo
### Financial Analysis & Modeling
Build sophisticated financial models from scratch and perform advanced risk analysis
Create a complete DCF model with assumptions, calculations, and sensitivity analysis in minutes.
Generate Monte Carlo simulations to model uncertainty and risk scenarios for your financial projections.
### Data Management & Processing
Transform raw data into analysis-ready formats
Transform messy datasets into clean, structured data ready for analysis.
Import financial data, tables, and text from PDF reports directly into Excel.
### Reporting & Visualization
Create professional reports and compelling visualizations that communicate insights effectively
Create professional financial summaries and reports with key metrics, ratios and insights.
Generate professional charts, graphs, and dashboards.
### Advanced Operations & Web intelligence
Master complex Excel functions and access real-time market data from the web
Master complex Excel functions like VLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH.
Watch Elkar pull live market data or any information from the web directly into your spreadsheets for up-to-date analysis.
***
### Ready to Transform Your Excel Workflow?
**Experience the power of AI-driven financial analysis**
β¨ **Free trial available** β’ No credit card required β’ Set up in minutes
[Start Free Trial](/getting-started)
# How to Write Effective Prompts
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/how-to/prompts
Writing effective prompts is the key to great results. The more precise you are, the better the output gets! Letβs explore how to write prompts that get the most out of Elkar.
## **Power Prompting Key Principles**
**Specific financial context** gets you better models. Elkar understands finance - use the right terminology and be precise about your assumptions.
**Define the model framework** before diving into calculations
**Build step-by-step** rather than asking for everything at once
**Be explicit** about your financial assumptions and methodology
**Be precise** about layout, colors, and structure to guide the AI toward a professional result
If a response isnβt exactly what you wanted. Keep refining your prompt with more details. Elkarβs chat is designed to help you iterate. Ask for clarifications, tweaks, or new directions anytime!
## Good vs. Bad Financial Prompts
β **Vague:** *"Build a DCF model"*
β **Specific:** *"Build a 5-year DCF model for a SaaS company with current revenue of \$50M, 25% growth rate declining to 15%, and 20% EBITDA margins expanding to 30%"*
**Why it works:** Timeframe, company type, key assumptions, growth trajectory
β **Generic:** *"Create a revenue forecast"*
β **Detailed:** *"Build bottom-up revenue forecast: 1,000 customers growing 15% annually, average price \$5,000 increasing 3% yearly, churn rate 8%"*
**Why it works:** Unit economics, growth drivers, specific metrics
β **Unclear:** *"Value this company"*
β **Precise:** *"Create comparable company analysis with EV/Revenue, EV/EBITDA, P/E multiples for software companies with 100M revenue"*
**Why it works:** Methodology, metrics, peer group definition
β **Too broad:** *"Create an LBO model"*
β **Comprehensive:** *"Build LBO model: \$100M purchase price, 60% debt at 7% interest, 5-year hold period, exit at 10x EBITDA, target 25% IRR"*
**Why it works:** Purchase price, leverage ratio, debt terms, hold period, exit assumptions, return targets
β **Ambiguous:** *"Analyze this merger"*
β **Structured:** *"Create accretion/dilution analysis: acquirer at 20x P/E, target at 15x P/E, 30% cash/70% stock deal, \$50M synergies over 3 years"*
**Why it works:** Deal structure, valuation multiples, consideration mix, synergy assumptions, timeline
### Use Financial Terminology
β *"EBITDA margins expanding 200bps annually"*
β *"Net working capital as % of revenue"*
β *"Terminal value using exit multiple of 12x EBITDA"*
β *"WACC of 10% with 30% debt/equity ratio"*
**Pro tip:** Start simple with core assumptions, then layer in complexity. Each prompt should build on the previous structure.
## Live Demo: Building a DCF
### **Get Advanced DCF Prompt**
Build a full, professional-grade DCF model for a SaaS company with monthly forecasts over 2 years. Include detailed assumptions (subscription revenue by cohort, churn, CAC, headcount ramp, salaries, margins, taxes, capex, working capital). Structure the model across cleanly separated sheets: Inputs, Monthly Forecast, Free Cash Flow, Valuation (with both perpetuity and exit multiple), Sensitivity Analysis, and a Summary Dashboard with charts (FCF, valuation waterfall, CAC payback). Format using standard financial modeling best practices: clean layout, blue input cells, consistent formatting, borders, and named ranges. Include transparent formulas, dynamic links to Inputs, and annotate key calculations for clarity like in investment banking models
## Quick Reference
* **EBITDA** - Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization
* **WACC** - Weighted average cost of capital
* **FCF** - Free cash flow (operating cash flow minus capex)
* **LTV/CAC** - Lifetime value to customer acquisition cost ratio
* **ARR** - Annual recurring revenue
* **Blue cells** for inputs and assumptions
* **Black cells** for calculations
* **Separate sheets** for inputs, calculations, outputs
* **Named ranges** for key variables
* **Consistent formatting** throughout
***
## Ready to try ? Let's share our tips!
Start with a simple DCF prompt above, then join our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/k89v3cF6fX) to learn advanced techniques from finance professionals!
# Introduction
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/index
## What is Elkar?
**Elkar is the first Spreadsheets AI Agent Analyst directly in Excel and Google Sheets** that works better than your most talented colleagues.\
\
**How it works:** Ask questions in plain English and Elkar writes formulas, builds models, spots errors, creates charts, pulls data from PDFs, and much more. It's an add-in inside your spreadsheets so no need to switch tools!
## Why Using Elkar?
* **Work faster** - Get professional results in seconds, not hours
* **Eliminate errors** - Catch mistakes before they cost millions
* **Skip the learning curve** - Access expert-level capabilities instantly. No need of training
* **Focus on strategy** - Let AI handle repetitive and complex tasks while you drive on business decisions
## To begin using Elkar:
Install Elkar on [Excel](/getting-started/installation-excel) or [Google Sheets](/getting-started/installation-google)
Follow our [Quickstart guide](/getting-started/quickstart) to set up Elkar and complete your first request
Discover all [Features](/features/error) and watch our [Demo videos](/how-to/use-case)
Explore practical examples and techniques in our [prompting guide](/how-to/prompts)
## Perfect for Finance Teams
**Build complex models faster**
* DCF models and valuations
* Scenario and sensitivity analysis
* Automated report generation
* Error-free formula creation
**Ensure accuracy and compliance**
* Cross-sheet error detection
* Financial statement preparation
* Month-end close automation
* Audit trail maintenance
**Strategic planning made simple**
* Budget and forecast modeling
* Variance analysis automation
* Executive dashboard creation
* What-if scenario planning
**Make data-driven decisions**
* Real-time financial insights
* Risk assessment modeling
* Strategic planning support
* Team productivity acceleration
## What Sets Elkar Apart
**Direct Excel Integration:** Elkar can see, analyze, and modify your actual spreadsheet data. ChatGPT requires you to copy-paste data and can't make direct changes to your files. **Spreadsheets Expertise:** Purpose-built for spreadsheet workflows with deep understanding of formulas, data structures, and Excel/GSheets best practices.
**Advanced Capabilities:** Elkar offers specialized features like cross-sheet error detection, deep financial modeling (e.g., LBO, Monte Carlo, DCF), and **Plan Mode** for scenario planning and strategic analysis.
**Deeper Analysis:** Copilot helps generate simple formulas and summaries, but **Elkar enables comprehensive data analysis**, builds multi-step models, and performs **sophisticated error checking** across large, complex files β just like a real analyst would.
**Check out this Elkar vs Copilot Comparison video:**
## The Elkar Advantage
Just Ask What You Need - No Formulas Required
**Professional quality** output that rivals work from senior analysts
**Proactive error detection** catches issues before they become costly mistakes
**Real-time processing** delivers insights in seconds, not hours
**Enterprise-grade security** with zero data retention policies
**Works within Excel and Google Sheets** - no new software to learn
## Learn More
Learn how we protect your data with enterprise-grade security
Connect with others, share tips and prompts on Discord
Find answers to common questions
[contact@elkar.co](mailto:contact@elkar.co)
# Formula Tracing
Source: https://sheets-docs.elkar.co/features/tracing
Understand any Excel formula in plain English. Debug complex calculations and optimize performance.
## Never get lost lost again
Decode any complex formula in seconds whether you built it or inherited it.
* Understand formulas built by previous team members
* Decode complex financial models
* Figure out why calculations seem wrong
## What Elkar Explains