Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Ilka client packs — available connectors (Stripe, Google Sheets, Airtable, Pennylane and Xero; QuickBooks is coming soon), the Source check sheet, Free vs Pro vs Firm, and one-off AI workbooks. Short definitions also live in the glossary.
What is Ilka?
Ilka delivers monthly Excel report packs for fractional CFOs and accounting firms — built from each client's Stripe, Google Sheets, Airtable, Pennylane and Xero (QuickBooks coming soon), with every figure copied from the source and reconciled, never retyped by AI.
Does AI ever write the numbers in my client pack?
No. AI designs the pack once — which columns, groupings, totals and chart — from your column headers and a few sample rows. Every delivery then copies and adds up the figures in code, straight from the source. Each workbook ends with a Source check sheet that recomputes every total in Excel and shows the difference with the source (0 when it matches).
Ilka vs Microsoft Copilot for Excel — which should I use?
Copilot helps while you edit inside Excel. Ilka runs the recurring part: connect a client’s Stripe, Google Sheets, Airtable, Pennylane and Xero once, lock the pack layout, and deliver a fresh, reconciled .xlsx every month by email, client portal, SharePoint, or webhook. QuickBooks is coming soon. See Ilka vs Copilot for Excel.
Ilka vs OpenAI ChatGPT for Excel — what is the difference?
The OpenAI Excel add-in is for interactive in-workbook assistance during an active session. Ilka is for standardized report packs generated on a schedule from connected data with run history and delivery channels. See Ilka vs OpenAI Excel.
Which data sources work with Ilka today?
Available today: Stripe, Google Sheets, Airtable, Pennylane and Xero, and SharePoint delivery — plus CSV upload and signed webhooks. QuickBooks is coming soon. See Xero integration and QuickBooks integration. Connect each client organisation separately, then design and schedule its pack in Client packs. Free covers 1 client: 1 pack, 5 deliveries a month. See Stripe integration or browse all integrations.
Is Ilka safe for financial data?
Your file is parsed in your browser and the original file is never uploaded. To draft the workbook, Ilka sends the sheet names, headers and data rows (up to 500 rows per sheet) to the AI model. Connector tokens and API keys are encrypted at rest. Scheduled runs log status without exposing secrets. Read Security and Privacy for details.
What does the Firm plan include?
Firm is $49/month with 10 clients included, then $5 per extra client each month (up to 300). It includes 10 seats, 5 packs per client, 600 successful runs per month, white-label client portal links with optional password and expiry, SharePoint delivery, and a guided setup call for your first client. Built for fractional CFOs and accounting firms running packs for many clients. See fractional CFOs page and Pricing.
What is the difference between Create from scratch and Improve my file?
Create from scratch: you only type a description and Ilka builds a new workbook. Improve my file: you upload an existing .xlsx or .csv, then describe what to add, fix, or restructure (new tabs, totals, grant columns, pipeline stages, etc.). Both use the same AI pipeline and count toward the same monthly limits on your plan. On Improve my file, your file is parsed in your browser and the original file is never uploaded; Ilka sends sheet names, headers and data rows (up to 500 rows per sheet) to the AI model.
How does the AI generator work?
Either describe a new workbook in plain English (e.g. "Sales pipeline with stages, amount, probability, monthly forecast") or use Improve my file with an upload plus instructions. Ilka runs a two-pass AI pipeline: pass 1 drafts the workbook as JSON, pass 2 repairs anything that fails our schema validator. You then preview and download a real .xlsx. This is separate from scheduled client packs, which fill a locked layout in code without calling the model.
Can I improve a spreadsheet I already have?
Yes. Switch to the "Improve my file" tab, drop in an .xlsx or .csv, and describe the changes you want. Your file is parsed in your browser and the original file is never uploaded. To draft the workbook, Ilka sends the sheet names, headers and data rows (up to 500 rows per sheet) to the AI model.
What output do I get?
A real Excel file (.xlsx) with multiple sheets, headers, typed cells, and totals where it makes sense. No screenshots, no PDFs. You can open it in Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, or LibreOffice. Create from scratch uses sample rows to illustrate structure; Improve and scheduled runs use your parsed or connected data (with row caps on large sources).
Does Create from scratch use my real data?
No. Create builds layout and realistic sample rows from your description (typically a handful of rows per sheet). To transform an export you already have, use Improve my file. To refresh from live Stripe, Google Sheets, Airtable, Pennylane and Xero on a schedule, use Client packs on Pro or Firm. QuickBooks is coming soon.
Are there limits on uploaded file size for Improve?
Parsing runs in your browser. Very large files may be slow or refused above about 20,000 total rows. Above roughly 1,500 rows, Ilka sends at most 500 rows per sheet to the model — always review the download. Scheduled Airtable pulls are also capped at 500 records per run.
What chart types and limits does Ilka support in Excel exports?
Native charts: bar, line, stacked, pie, scatter. Up to 3 charts per workbook and 6 series per chart (pie uses one value column). Combo, area, and dual-axis charts are not supported. Native OOXML charts are optimized for Microsoft Excel Desktop. LibreOffice and web viewers may render charts partially or not at all.
Can I use scheduled reports or saved recipes on the Free plan?
Free covers 1 client: 1 pack, 5 deliveries a month, every connector, Source check included. Pro adds 3 clients and commercial use; Firm adds seats, the white-label client portal and SharePoint delivery.
Can my team share packs and sources?
Yes, on Firm. Firm includes 10 seats on one subscription. Teammates sign in with their own accounts and share sources, packs and schedules; edit and delete stay with the author. Need more seats? Contact us.
Is the output reliable?
Client packs with a locked layout copy figures from the source in code, and the Source check sheet proves the totals match. If a column disappears at the source, the delivery stops with a clear message instead of guessing. The one-off generator is different: it drafts structure with AI, so review formulas before relying on those files.
How much does it cost?
Pricing follows your number of clients. Free: 1 client (1 pack, 5 deliveries/month, 3 one-off AI workbooks/month) — use it with one real client before you pay. Pro: $19/month for 3 clients and unlimited AI generations. Firm: $49/month for 10 clients, then $5 per extra client, 10 seats and white-label delivery. Archived clients and the sample client are never billed. Cancel anytime. Full details on Pricing.
Can I use the generated files commercially?
Free plan packs delivered for the one included client may be sent to that client as part of your paid services; one-off AI workbooks on Free remain for personal and evaluation use. On Pro or Firm you get a commercial-use license covering internal work, paid client deliverables, and resale of the generated workbook as a derivative. The full text lives on the Licenses page.
What happens to my Free generations if I upgrade later?
The commercial license applies to every spreadsheet produced while your Pro or Firm subscription is active. Free one-off AI workbooks remain for personal and evaluation use; Free client-pack deliveries for your one included client stay covered under the Free one-client allowance.
Do you keep my generated files?
Yes — on Pro or Firm. Your generation history is stored so you can re-download any spreadsheet from History in the app. On Free, the file you download is yours; we keep a log of the generation but no result snapshot. Each successful scheduled delivery keeps one snapshot of the workbook for re-download and portal access; email attachments are not stored separately.
What happens if Google Drive upload fails on a scheduled run?
If Drive upload fails, the run still succeeds when email delivery works; the run details show the Drive error and you receive an email explaining it. Fix the folder ID or reconnect Google for Drive scope.
Can Ilka pull Airtable or Google Sheets on a schedule?
Yes. In Client packs, connect a Google Sheet (paste its link and sign in) or an Airtable table (paste its link and a read-only token), design the pack, and pick a schedule such as the 1st or 5th of each month. Deliveries go out within about 30 minutes of the scheduled time. Each delivery counts toward your plan’s monthly delivery cap; packs with a locked layout do not use AI generations. Credentials are encrypted at rest.
Can I turn messy exports from Notion, Linear, or monday.com into a clean report?
Yes — use Improve my file with the exported .xlsx or .csv. Ilka is designed to take flat, noisy exports and return a structured workbook (for example an executive summary sheet plus detail). Presets in the generator suggest stakeholder-style prompts. Always review numbers before sharing.
Is my uploaded file kept private?
When you use "Improve my file", your file is parsed in your browser and the original file is never uploaded. To draft the workbook, Ilka sends the sheet names, headers and data rows (up to 500 rows per sheet) to the AI model.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Open your account menu, click Billing, and you will be redirected to the Stripe Customer Portal where you can cancel, update your payment method, or download invoices. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period.
Do you offer team or enterprise plans?
Firm includes 10 seats and grows with your client count. For more seats, annual invoicing or a custom agreement, contact us via the contact page.
How can I contact support?
Email support@ilka.co for technical questions. We typically respond within one business day.