Frequently asked questions

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, parsing runs in your browser and only the table structure is sent to the server as JSON — the raw file is never uploaded.

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.

Yes. Switch to the "Improve my file" tab, drop in an .xlsx or .csv, and describe the changes you want. The raw file never leaves your browser — only the parsed table structure is sent to the server as JSON.

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.

Every generation is validated against a strict schema before download. If the first pass produces invalid JSON, a second pass repairs it automatically. That said, AI output may still contain mistakes — always review formulas before using the file for important decisions.

Free plan: 3 generations per month, personal use only. Pro: $19 / month, unlimited generations, generation history, commercial-use license. Team: $49 / month, up to 5 seats sharing one subscription. Cancel anytime — no contract.

On Pro and Team 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.

The commercial license applies to every spreadsheet generated while your Pro / Team subscription is active. Files generated on Free remain personal use until you upgrade.

Yes — on Pro and Team only. Your generation history is stored so you can re-download any spreadsheet from /generate/history. On Free, the file you download is yours; we keep a log of the generation but no result snapshot. Scheduled report runs log success or failure and may attach the generated .xlsx to email only — we do not store a separate binary per email beyond the usual AiGeneration result snapshot when the run succeeds.

On Pro and Team, open /generate/reports: add an Airtable connection (personal access token + base and table) or authorize Google (Sheets + optional Drive upload), then create a schedule with a cron preset and an improve-style prompt. Due reports are processed by Inngest on about a 15-minute cadence (UTC), invoking your app at /api/inngest. Tokens are encrypted at rest using ILKA_SECRETS_KEY (64 hex characters). Each successful run counts toward your plan’s monthly scheduled run cap and uses the same AI generation quota as manual runs. Delivery defaults to your Clerk primary email unless you set an override on the schedule. If we add Google Drive upload to your schedule, reconnect Google once so the consent screen includes Drive file scope.

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.

When you use "Improve my file", parsing happens in your browser. Only the JSON structure (sheet names, headers, rows) is sent to our server for the AI call. The raw file is never uploaded.

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.

The Team plan covers up to 5 seats for $49 / month. For larger teams, custom plans, or invoicing requirements, contact us via the contact page.

Email support@ilka.co for technical questions. We typically respond within one business day.