23. June 2025
Build a low-code web calculator with a spreadsheet and the GRID API

Imagine turning a spreadsheet model into a powerful web tool, no complex backend nor duplicated logic required!
That’s exactly what we built in this example: a running time estimator built with Google Sheets and the GRID Spreadsheet API. It helps runners predict their finish time for a future race based on past performance.
At GRID, we’ve got more than a few running enthusiasts on the team and, naturally, a shared love for spreadsheets. So building a race time predictor with this approach felt like the perfect way to showcase what’s possible when those two passions combine!
A spreadsheet-powered performance prediction app
In the app, users enter data about their latest run (distance, time etc.) and set a goal like running a marathon for example.
Upon clicking submit, these user inputs are sent to the spreadsheet for it to calculate an estimated finish time.
The app retrieves the results and displays the estimated finish time in close to real time.
For example, when we input a half marathon time of 1 hour and 30 minutes, the app estimates a full marathon finish in 3 hours and 7 minutes.
Behind the Scenes
This tool is built using a simple React app connected to a Google Sheet via the GRID API. Here’s how it works:
The spreadsheet that contains the formulas is stored on a Google Drive and connected to a GRID workspace.
The actual calculations are run on a copy of the spreadsheet in our own spreadsheet engine, meaning that the original version remains untouched. It also means that many calculations can be run simultaneously across multiple requests.
The app uses the API key, workbook ID (provided by the workspace) and relevant endpoint to connect to the spreadsheet.
On submit, inputs are written to cells (e.g. B3 for distance) and calculated results are read from the cells containing the formulas and outputs (e.g. C15 for the predicted race time).
The GRID API returns both the applied inputs and updated results in a single response.
Demo video

Try it yourself
Whether you're forecasting, calculating ROI, or generating custom quotes, the GRID API makes it easy to turn spreadsheets into low-code apps that are fast to build and easy to maintain. By keeping your business logic centralized in a spreadsheet, your app stays lightweight and flexible. The spreadsheet handles the thinking, while the app focuses on user input and presentation. And when it’s time to update the logic, there's no need to touch the code, just update the spreadsheet.
Spreadsheets are no longer just static data tools, with GRID they become the brain behind your applications. Using the GRID API is fast, flexible and easy - sign up and try it for free today!
News
Updates and announcements
02.12.2024
Bringing spreadsheets into the AI-first era
Introducing GRID's new mission The current wave of AI is arguably the biggest shift in user interfaces since the advent of the GUI. Meanwhile, spreadsheets remain a cornerstone of the business world — resilient, ubiquitous, and indispensable despite repeated predictions of their demise. The fusion of AI and spreadsheets is poised to be big, but it requires a fundamental rethinking — not bringing AI to traditional spreadsheets, but reimagining spreadsheets and their workflows for the AI-first era. With a unique set of cutting-edge spreadsheet technologies, GRID is uniquely positioned — and determined — to lead this transformation. AI-First The AI-first paradigm is defined by three key characteristics: Language-oriented: We interact with computers in our language, not theirs. Task-centric: Work starts with the task at hand, not the hunt for the right software. Agentic: Computers will act on our behalf, even when we’re not there. Spreadsheets Spreadsheets are not just tools; they are foundational to modern business: Ubiquitous: Over 1 billion users worldwide rely on them. Empowering: As the original low-code solution, they enable business users to solve problems independently. The fabric of business: Spreadsheets likely hold more business logic and data than any formal IT system. Bringing them together With the world’s most advanced independent spreadsheet engine — designed for lightning-fast performance and seamless compatibility with Excel and Google Sheets — and a suite of other powerful spreadsheet technologies, GRID is uniquely positioned to redefine the future of spreadsheets in an AI-first world. We’re bridging the gap between AI and spreadsheets, delivering the reliable and verifiable calculations that AI solutions currently lack. Bringing spreadsheets to ChatGPT Today, we’re taking a major step forward by expanding the Alpha testing of our ChatGPT solution and opening registrations for early access. Sign up now to secure your spot in the Alpha and see GRID’s solution in action!
26.08.2020
GRID closes $12M in Series A funding round led by NEA
We’re thrilled to announce that we have closed a $12M Series A funding round led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), with participation from our existing investors BlueYard Capital, Slack Fund, Acequia Capital and other strategic partners! This funding will enable us to bring GRID to market and power accelerated product development. For more information see our press release. Additional coverage: Tech Crunch: GRID raises $12M Series A to turn spreadsheets into 'visual narratives' SiliconANGLE: Iceland's Grid lands $12M to help workers make their spreadsheets more visual Tech Target: Analytics startup Grid raises $12 million in funding
27.03.2019
GRID closes $3.5M seed funding
We are thrilled to share some great news with you: We just closed $3.5M in seed funding! The investment is led by BlueYard Capital, with participation from strategic investors such as Slack Fund, Acequia Capital and angel investor Charlie Songhurst. We are happy to work with this group, as they add a lot of value to our mission other than their funding. Needless to say, they deeply believe in our mission to empower people to turn any spreadsheet into a beautiful web report, dashboard or interactive application. After our private Alpha launch a few weeks ago, we are now all heads-down again working on product, strategy, network expansion and go-to-market planning. This investment - on top of our $1M angel round in October - fuels current plans well into 2021. It gives us breathing room to focus on building the initial version of our product, take it to market and grow it from there - by delighting our users. We will be adding a few people to our team in the coming weeks and months. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an exciting startup at an inflection point. Take a look at our open positions, and keep an eye on our tweets.