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List five problems to fix before sharing a spreadsheet
- For Office and admin
- You practice Catching mistakes and made-up facts
- Time about 5 minutes
- Level Beginner
About this exercise
You're about to send a budget workbook to an outside partner. Write at most 5 lines in plain text, each starting '- [ ]', naming where the problem is, what it is and the fix. Under 100 words. Use only problems described in the notes, and put the one that exposes private data first.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Burying the privacy risk. The AI lists the hidden Payroll sheet last or doesn't call out the salaries. Try: Add: "Put the hidden Payroll sheet (names and salaries) first."
- Missing the fix. The AI names problems without the fix. Try: Add: "Each line: Where: problem - fix."
- Padding the list. The AI adds generic tips or the minor author item. Try: Add: "At most 5 lines, only problems in the notes. Skip the minor one."
- Leaving the format to chance. The AI picks its own length and layout unless told the exact shape. Try: Add: "At most 5 bullets. 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
- Asks for the line shape
- Puts privacy first
- Names the issues
- Limits to the notes
- Caps length
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