AI & ChatGPT for Beginners

Learn

AI is useful for explaining spreadsheet formulas, suggesting table headings, classifying sample data and drafting analysis questions. It is not a replacement for checking arithmetic. For important calculations, run the formula in a spreadsheet or calculator, examine units and confirm that totals use the intended rows. If the assistant claims to have analysed a file, confirm that the file was actually accessible.

A useful analysis prompt specifies the data columns, metric, period and desired output. For example, "Calculate total units for each week, using only the rows supplied; show the arithmetic and mark blank values as missing." Never silently treat missing values as zero unless the business rule explicitly says so.

Worked example

Fictional values: Week 1 = 12, Week 2 = 15 and Week 3 = 18. Total = 45 units; average = 15 units per week. Ask an assistant to write a spreadsheet formula for the total and explain what happens if one cell is blank.

Practice

Make a five-row fictional expense table containing date, category and amount. Ask for grouping suggestions and a formula for the total. Calculate the total yourself, then compare. Include one empty cell to test how missing data is handled.

Key takeaway

Use AI to accelerate analysis, but validate data, units and calculations independently.