Fontics vs Claude for Excel
Claude for Excel is Anthropic's AI agent inside the workbook: it builds, edits and explains models with cell citations. Fontics is an AI-free add-in that runs the same analysis and reviews, the same way, every time. They sit side by side in the Excel ribbon.
Last reviewed by Admin.
Facts about Claude for Excel come from Anthropic's public pages and other public sources, listed under Sources. Prices are list prices as of the review date.
Short answer
- Claude for Excel is one of the strongest ways to build or restructure a model in Excel: it reads multi-tab workbooks, writes formulas, cites the cells it uses and fixes errors like #REF! and circular references.
- Every Claude answer is a new generation. It can test a scenario when you ask, but you prompt it, wait for it and check the result each time.
- Fontics turns the analysis into a fixed, one-click workflow on the same workbook: 10+ scenarios in a minute, tornado charts, multi-driver goal seek, Monte Carlo, formula audits and deep traces. Same inputs, same answer.
you are building, editing or explaining a model: new tabs, formulas, restructuring, debugging errors, or answering questions about a workbook someone sent you.
the model is built and you need to test and review it: run scenario sets and sensitivities in seconds, find break-evens, and audit formulas with results you can defend.
At a glance
What each tool is built to do. A dot means it can be done, but you prompt for it or set it up yourself each time.
| Stage | Job | Claude for Excel | Fontics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | Build a model from scratch | YesDCFs, LBOs, 3-statement models | No |
| Write and fix formulas | YesDebugs #REF!, #VALUE!, circulars | No | |
| Data wrangling, pivots, charts | YesPivots, charts, conditional formatting | No | |
| Plain-language questions | YesAnswers cite cells | No | |
| Analyze | Scenario analysis | PartlyPer prompt; you check each run | Yes10+ scenarios in a minute |
| Sensitivity and tornado charts | PartlyBuilds data tables on request | YesRank drivers in seconds | |
| Stress tests and break-evens | Partly | Yes | |
| Multi-driver goal seek and solvers | Partly | Yes | |
| Monte Carlo simulation | PartlyCan build a simulation sheet | Yes1,000+ runs, add-on from $5/month | |
| Review | Valuation review (DCF/LBO drivers, DLOM, Black-Scholes) | PartlyReviews on request | Yes |
| Formula audit | PartlyExplains formulas, flags errors | Yes | |
| Deep precedent and dependent traces | PartlyExplains logic; no fixed trace | Yes | |
| Platform | Same answer every run | NoGenerative; outputs vary | YesAI-free |
| Excel for Mac | Yes | Yes | |
| Google Sheets | PartlyClaude for Google Workspace, beta | YesSame plan |
Side by side
| Fact | Claude for Excel | Fontics |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An Anthropic add-in that reads and edits the open workbook from a sidebar. Generally available since 7 May 2026.[1][2] | An AI-free Excel and Google Sheets add-in that runs analysis (scenarios, sensitivities, stress tests, solvers, Monte Carlo) and reviews models (formula audits, deep traces, valuation reviews) for investment, credit and valuation teams. |
| How you use it | Type a request. Claude plans, edits cells, and explains what it changed, citing the cells it used.[1] | Pick a module, select the input cells and the output cell, click evaluate. No prompts. |
| Builds models | Yes. Builds and updates models, adds tabs, writes and fixes formulas.[1] | Does not build models. It analyzes and reviews the model you or your AI built. |
| Scenarios and sensitivities | On request. Claude can test scenarios without breaking formulas, but each run is a new generation to check.[3] | Built-in modules: scenario sets, tornado charts and data tables, break-evens, multi-driver goal seek, Monte Carlo. |
| Repeatability | Generative. Two identical requests can produce different structure or numbers. | AI-free and 100% deterministic: same inputs, same answer, every time. |
| Excel versions | Excel on Windows (Microsoft 365), Mac and the web.[4] | Excel on Windows and Mac, plus Google Sheets. |
| Google Sheets | Claude for Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), public beta on paid plans since 6 Oct 2026.[5] | Every Fontics module works in Google Sheets on the same plan. |
| Data handling | Workbook content is processed by Anthropic under your Claude account. | Standard modules run 100% locally in your workbook. Only Monte Carlo distribution sampling runs in the cloud. |
| Usage limits | Excel use counts against your Claude plan's usage limits.[4] | Core has a daily analysis limit; Institutional is unlimited. |
| Price | Included in paid Claude plans (Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise). Not on Free.[2][6] | Free Core plan; paid plans $20 and $50/month; Monte Carlo add-on from $5/month |
Choose Claude for Excel if
- You need to build or extend a model: new tabs, new schedules, a debt waterfall, a returns bridge.
- You received a workbook and need to understand it fast, with answers that cite the cells.
- A formula is broken (#REF!, #VALUE!, a circular reference) and you want it found and fixed.
- You already pay for Claude and want one AI across Excel, PowerPoint, Word and chat.
What Claude for Excel does well
- Works on any open workbook, multi-tab models included, with no import step.
- Cites the cells it reads, so you can check answers against the source.
- Keeps formula relationships intact when it updates values.
- Shares context with Claude for PowerPoint and Word for the IC deck and memo.
Choose Fontics if
- You run the same analysis on every deal (base, downside, upside, break-evens) and want it in seconds with one click, not a new prompt each time.
- Results go to an IC or a lender and must be reproducible: same inputs, same answer.
- You want to validate a model Claude built before you rely on it: formula audits, deep traces, valuation driver checks.
- You work in Google Sheets as well as Excel, under one plan.
Where Fontics is not the right tool
- Fontics will not build, extend or restructure a model, or write formulas for you.
- It does not answer free-form questions about a workbook.
What Claude for Excel does well
- Works on any open workbook, multi-tab models included, with no import step.
- Cites the cells it reads, so you can check answers against the source.
- Keeps formula relationships intact when it updates values.
- Shares context with Claude for PowerPoint and Word for the IC deck and memo.
Where Fontics is not the right tool
- Fontics will not build, extend or restructure a model, or write formulas for you.
- It does not answer free-form questions about a workbook.
Using Claude for Excel and Fontics together
Build with Claude. Run analysis and reviews with Fontics. Both are add-ins in the same workbook.
- 01
Build with Claude for Excel
Ask Claude to build or extend the model and wire up the key drivers (growth, margins, exit multiple, leverage).
- 02
Review with Fontics
Run a formula audit and deep traces on the outputs that matter (IRR, DSCR, equity value) to confirm how they are calculated.
- 03
Stress-test with Fontics
Rank the drivers in a tornado chart, run your scenario set and break-evens, and add a Monte Carlo if the case needs one. Re-run in seconds as Claude edits the model.
Who uses each
Claude for Excel
Paid Claude subscribers in finance, consulting and operations. Anthropic positions it for financial modelling, and Team and Enterprise admins can deploy it firm-wide through the Microsoft 365 admin center.[1][4]
Fontics
Investment, credit and valuation teams at funds, banks, lenders and advisors. They run DCF, LBO, project finance and real estate models and need to defend the numbers in front of an investment or credit committee.
Pricing
Claude for Excel
Fontics
- Core is free forever, Transactions is $20/month and Institutional is $50/month.
- Monte Carlo is an add-on from $5/month ($5 on Core, $10 on Transactions and Institutional).
- Every plan covers Excel and Google Sheets.
FAQ
Do I need Fontics if I have Claude for Excel?
If you only build and edit models, maybe not. If you run scenario sets, sensitivities, break-evens, Monte Carlo or formal model reviews that must repeat exactly, Fontics does them in one click and gives the same answer every run.
Can Claude for Excel run a sensitivity analysis?
Yes, when you ask. It can build data tables or test scenarios. Each run is a new generation, so you prompt, wait and check. Fontics runs fixed modules on your model's formulas and produces the charts and tables directly.
Can I use both in the same workbook?
Yes. They are separate add-ins. A common flow is to build with Claude, audit and stress-test with Fontics, then ask Claude to draft commentary from the Fontics outputs.
Does Fontics change cells Claude wrote?
No. Fontics runs analysis in new sheets and leaves your original model intact.
Which works in Google Sheets?
Fontics works in Google Sheets on every plan. Anthropic's Claude for Google Workspace add-on is in public beta on paid Claude plans as of 6 Oct 2026.
Sources
- 1.Anthropic, Claude for Excel documentation
- 2.Pasquale Pillitteri, Claude for Microsoft 365: Excel, Word, PowerPoint GA · 7 May 2026
- 3.Impress Watch, Claude in Excel launch for Pro plans · 26 Jan 2026
- 4.Deckary, Claude for Excel: setup, pricing and limits · checked 1 Nov 2026
- 5.Unite.AI, Claude for Google Workspace in public beta · 6 Oct 2026
- 6.Anthropic, Claude pricing
Vendor features and prices change often. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will correct it. Product names are trademarks of their owners; Fontics is not affiliated with them.
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