Library › Finance AI › FP&A and financial analysts

Label five model formulas as Hardcode, Wrong range, Sign error or OK

  • For FP&A and financial analysts
  • You practice Showing an example of what you want
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

You're reviewing a forecast model before it goes to the CFO. Write a prompt for exactly 5 lines, one per cell in order, formatted "C12: Label - reason" where Label is exactly Hardcode, Wrong range, Sign error or OK. Each reason is under 15 words and names the evidence. Judge only from the audit notes. Don't suggest a fix formula. Plain text, no intro.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Trusting the owner. The AI labels everything OK because it was 'checked'. Try: Add: "Ignore the owner's claim. Judge from the notes. Exactly 5 numbered plain-text lines."
  • Free-form labels. The AI writes 'Possible error' or 'Fine'. Try: Say: "Label is exactly Hardcode, Wrong range, Sign error or OK."
  • Missing the sign issue. The AI assumes adding discounts is fine. Try: Add: "Reasons name the evidence, such as stored as positive numbers."
  • Writing fixes. The AI adds replacement formulas. Try: Add: "Do not write corrected formulas."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting and runs past word limits. Try: Ask for fewer words than the real cap and keep each line short.

What a strong prompt includes

  • Gives the line format
  • Restricts labels
  • Asks for evidence
  • Bans fixes
  • Caps length

Practice this now ↑

Related exercises