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Build a Q1 spend summary table by department

  • For Finance and accounting
  • You practice Asking for a format you can use
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

Your finance lead wants a pivot-style summary of Q1 spend. Make one markdown table with a row per department and columns Jan, Feb, Mar and Q1 total, plus a Total row at the bottom, all in dollars like $4,200, under 90 words. Leave out voided rows and repeated invoice numbers, and put nothing before or after the table.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Counting void and repeats. The AI adds every row, including the voided $900 and the invoice posted twice. Try: Add: "Skip VOID rows and count a repeated invoice number once."
  • Forgetting the Total row. The AI stops at department rows or adds only a grand total. Try: Add: "End with a Total row for Jan, Feb, Mar and Q1."
  • Wrapping the table in chatter. The AI adds an intro and a list of observations. Try: Add: "Output only the table, no text before or after."
  • Leaving the format to chance. The AI picks its own length and layout unless told the exact shape. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold or headings."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each part instead, for example "each line under 15 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Names the columns
  • Excludes void rows
  • Handles repeated invoices
  • Asks for a total row
  • Sets the money format

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