Photo: Gerard van de Bruinhorst, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The problem
The data is there, but nobody has time to build reports.
Step by step
- Export the data as a spreadsheet and remove personal data such as customer names and emails.
- Upload it to an AI assistant that can analyse files.
- Ask one question at a time and ask it to show the numbers behind each answer.
- Spot-check a couple of figures in the spreadsheet yourself.
The prompt
This spreadsheet has {what the columns are} from {date range}.
Answer: {question}
Show the numbers and the method you used. Tell me if the data is missing anything needed to answer properly.
Replace the {highlighted} parts with your details, or fill them in with the prompt builder.
Check before you use it
- Totals match your own figures.
- You understand how each answer was calculated.
Privacy
- Strip customer names, emails and phone numbers before uploading.
Do’s and don’ts
Do
- Remove names, emails and other personal columns first.
- Tell the AI what each column means.
- Ask it to show the formula or method so you can check it.
Don’t
- Act on a big number without checking it in the sheet yourself.
- Upload payroll or customer lists to tools without a business data agreement.
- Assume a chart is right because it looks tidy.
When not to use AI for this
For tax, payroll or investment decisions, use the AI to explore, then confirm with your accountant.
Tools that can help
We are not paid by any of these companies, and we list well-known options, not a ranking. Features and plans change; check the provider’s site and its data terms before you sign up. See all AI tools by category.
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