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Clean US phone numbers into one format in a CSV block

  • For Small business owners
  • You practice Showing an example of what you want
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Beginner

About this exercise

Your customer list has phone numbers typed many ways and your texting tool wants +1 followed by 10 digits. Write one CSV block (one code block) with the header original,clean and one row per number in the same order. Only US numbers with a 10-digit local part are valid; write INVALID for anything else, without guessing missing digits. At most 12 words outside the code.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Filling in the area code. The AI turns 555-0123 into +14155550123. Try: Add: "No area code means INVALID. Don't fill in digits."
  • Keeping the UK number. The AI reformats the London number as valid. Try: Add: "Non-US numbers are INVALID."
  • Wrong CSV shape. The AI drops the header or reorders rows. Try: Add: "Header original,clean, then 8 rows in the same order."
  • Leaving the format to chance. The AI picks its own length and layout unless told the exact shape. Try: Add: "Put the code in exactly 1 code block. Keep the writing outside the code under 12 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Gives the target format
  • Says invalid
  • Rules out guessing
  • Names the header
  • Keeps the order

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