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Write flux comments only where they clear the threshold

  • For Accountants
  • You practice Setting limits and rules
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

You're writing October flux comments for five expense lines. Write a prompt for five plain-text lines, one per account, in the format "Account: comment". Only comment when the change from September is both more than 10% and more than $1,000. Otherwise write exactly "No comment". A commented line states the dollar and percent change and the cause from the notes, under 30 words.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Only checking percent. The AI comments on Professional fees (+18%) though it's under $1,000. Try: Say: "Both tests: more than 10% AND more than $1,000."
  • Commenting on everything. The AI writes a comment for every line, including Rent. Try: Add: 'Otherwise write exactly: No comment'.
  • Cause with no amounts. The AI writes causes but skips the dollar and percent change. Try: Say: "Give the dollar change, percent change and cause."
  • Markdown extras. The AI adds bold labels, headings and a closing note. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold. Output only the lines asked for."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting and runs past word limits. Try: Ask for fewer words than the real cap and keep each line short.

What a strong prompt includes

  • States both tests
  • Says what to write otherwise
  • Asks for numbers and cause
  • Limits to the notes
  • Sets format

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