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Explain a room-finder formula to the office manager

Practice: Saying who it's for. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

Hal, the office manager, keeps getting rooms that are bigger than needed from the room-finder cell. Copy the formula into one code block, then write exactly 3 numbered lines labeled Returns:, Says None when: and Fix:, each one plain sentence with no function names or cell references. Returns: must say it picks the first room in list order, not the best-sized one. Fix: must tell Hal to sort the Rooms tab by Seats, smallest first, so no formula change is needed. Under 70 words outside the code.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Not saying who reads it. The AI explains array math that Hal won't follow. Try: Add: "For an office manager: no function names or cell references."
  • Not asking about his problem. The AI explains the formula but not why it picked the Atrium. Try: Add: "Say it picks the first room in list order, not the best fit."
  • Rewriting the formula. The AI hands Hal a new, harder formula instead of the simple fix he can do himself. Try: Add: "Fix: sort the Rooms tab by Seats, smallest first; no formula change."
  • Leaving the shape open. The AI writes a long breakdown of each part. Try: Add: "Exactly 3 numbered lines labeled Returns:, Says None when:, Fix:."
  • 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 20 words. Nothing else."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Says who it's for
  • Explains his surprise
  • Asks for labeled lines
  • Asks for a simple fix

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