AI for Excel (Self-Paced)

Module 1: AI Fundamentals for Excel Users

• Understand what AI can (and cannot) do for your Excel work
• Overview of AI tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and others
• How AI "thinks" about spreadsheets—and why that matters for getting good results
• Setting realistic expectations: AI as assistant, not replacement
• Security and data privacy considerations when using AI with sensitive data

Module 2: Mastering AI Prompts for Formula Generation

• The anatomy of an effective Excel prompt: context, examples, and constraints
• Generating simple to complex formulas on demand (VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, nested IFs, array formulas)
• Prompt techniques for dynamic formulas that adapt to your data
• Troubleshooting formulas with AI: explaining errors and suggesting fixes
• Hands-on practice: Building a prompt library for your most common formula needs

Module 3: Automating Data Cleaning with AI

• Identifying data cleaning tasks AI handles best
• Prompting AI to standardize inconsistent data (dates, names, addresses, phone numbers)
• Using AI to generate formulas for splitting and combining text
• Detecting and handling duplicates, outliers, and missing values
• Hands-on practice: Cleaning a messy real-world dataset using AI-generated solutions

Module 4: AI-Assisted Data Analysis and Insights

• Asking AI the right questions about your data
• Generating summary statistics and identifying trends with AI guidance
• Using AI to suggest appropriate chart types and visualization approaches
• Creating data narratives: Having AI help explain what the numbers mean
• Hands-on practice: Analyzing a dataset and generating insights with AI assistance

Module 5: VBA and Macro Generation with AI

• When automation makes sense: Identifying repetitive workflows to streamline
• Prompting AI to write VBA macros for common tasks (formatting, reporting, data manipulation)
• Understanding and modifying AI-generated code (even if you're not a programmer)
• Testing, debugging, and refining macros with AI support
• Hands-on practice: Creating a macro to automate a repetitive reporting task

Module 6: Building Your AI-Enhanced Excel Workflow

• Integrating AI into your daily Excel routine without disrupting productivity
• Creating a personal prompt library for recurring tasks
• When to use AI vs. when to do it yourself: A practical decision framework
• Keeping up with rapidly evolving AI capabilities
• Developing an action plan for continued AI skill-building