What is Data Formulator?
Data Formulator is an AI data exploration and visualisation tool from Microsoft Research. You load a table, a spreadsheet, a local folder or a database connection, then describe what you want to see in plain English or by dragging fields onto a chart. An AI model writes the data transformation code for you and draws the chart, so you can go from raw data to a useful view without writing pandas or SQL yourself.
Its main idea is the Data Thread: every question you ask becomes a step you can branch from, so you can try different angles on the same data and come back to earlier results. Charts use the open-source Flint visualisation language and stay editable. When you are done, you can compose a short report from your findings. The project is MIT licensed, runs locally on your own machine, and works with OpenAI, Azure, Anthropic or local Ollama models through LiteLLM. There is also an online demo at data-formulator.ai.
Main Features
- Ask questions about your data in plain English
- AI writes the transformation code and draws the chart
- Data Threads let you branch and revisit analyses
- Loads files, folders and databases, with DuckDB for large data
- Works with OpenAI, Azure, Anthropic or local Ollama models
- Compose shareable reports from your charts
How to Get Started with Data Formulator
- Install uv, then run uvx data_formulator (or pip install data_formulator).
- Open http://localhost:5567 in your browser.
- Add an API key for your chosen model, or point it at a local Ollama model.
- Load a CSV or connect a database and type your first question.
Data Formulator Pricing
Data Formulator is completely free and open source under the MIT licence. There is no paid plan; you only pay your AI model provider if you use a paid API key.
Who Should Use It?
- Data analysts exploring new datasets
- Students learning data visualisation
- Researchers who want quick charts without code
- Developers who prefer local, private tools
- Teams prototyping reports before building dashboards
Data Formulator Alternatives
- Julius AI: Chat with spreadsheets and get charts and analysis in the browser.
- Quadratic: An AI spreadsheet that mixes formulas, Python and SQL.
- Powerdrill: AI data analysis agents for reports and datasets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Data Formulator free?
Yes. It is free, open-source software from Microsoft Research under the MIT licence, with no paid tier. You may pay for AI model usage if you use a paid API.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. You describe what you want in plain English or drag fields onto a chart, and the AI writes the data transformation code for you.
Can it run with local models?
Yes. Through LiteLLM it supports OpenAI, Azure, Anthropic and local models served by Ollama.