I have tokens, but I’m seeing an “out of quota” error. Why?

This usually happens because of a limitation in how Google Sheets handles account identification.

When someone uses the GPT function in a Google Sheet, we try to identify the person who made the request so we can apply billing and token usage correctly. However, if the person using the function is in a different Google Workspace domain from the file owner, Google may not provide us with that user’s email address.

When that happens, we use the file owner’s email address instead.

If the file owner does not have enough tokens or quota available, the request is billed to the owner’s account and fails. As a result, the person running the formula may see an “out of quota” error, even if they personally still have tokens.

This issue only affects GPT formulas in Google Sheets.

When it works normally

Everything should work as expected if the person is running the GPT function as the owner of the file. In that case, we can identify the correct account and apply that user’s tokens.

It may also work normally if the file owner and the person are using the function in the same Google Workspace domain, since Google is more likely to provide the user’s email address in that case.

How to fix it

To avoid this issue, try one of the following:

• Transfer ownership of the file to the person who will be using the GPT function.

• Ask that person to create a new copy of the file under their own account.

• Make sure the current file owner has enough available tokens or quota.

• If possible, keep the file owner and users in the same Google Workspace domain.