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Build new hires' work emails from their names

Practice: Showing an example of what you want. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

Write one Google Sheets formula for C2 (filled down) that builds each new hire's work email from first name (A2) and last name (B2): first initial plus last name, all lowercase, with spaces, hyphens and apostrophes removed from the last name, at fernbrook.example. For example Pat O'Neil becomes poneil@fernbrook.example. One formula in one code block, then under 25 words outside the code.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Not showing an example. The AI guesses the pattern, like first.last. Try: Add: "Pat O'Neil becomes poneil@fernbrook.example."
  • Forgetting punctuation. The AI keeps the apostrophe and the hyphen, which emails can't have. Try: Add: "Remove spaces, hyphens and apostrophes, all lowercase."
  • Not giving the domain. The AI picks the old domain from the notes or invents one. Try: Add: "Domain is fernbrook.example."
  • Getting a menu of options. The AI likes to offer two or three versions of the formula, so you're left to pick and test them yourself. Try: Add: "Give one formula only, in one code block, no alternatives."
  • Getting a tutorial. By default the AI explains every part of the code at length, which you then have to scroll past. Try: Add: "After the code, one line under 10 words. Nothing else."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Shows an example
  • Removes punctuation
  • Gives the domain
  • Asks for one answer only
  • Limits the explanation

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