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Build a base, upside and downside table with the math

  • For FP&A and financial analysts
  • You practice Asking for a format you can use
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Beginner

About this exercise

You're building a one-slide scenario view. Write a prompt for a markdown table with columns Case | Growth | Ending ARR | Gross profit, three rows (Base, Upside, Downside), then one line starting "Spread:" showing upside minus downside ending ARR. Use the latest assumptions and gross margin. No commentary and no text before the table. Under 70 words. No bullets.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Using the old downside. The AI picks 5% from the draft mention. Try: Say: "Use the latest downside growth, 8%."
  • Applying margin to the wrong base. The AI computes gross profit on starting ARR. Try: Add: "Gross profit = ending ARR x 70%."
  • No spread line. The AI adds commentary instead of the one-line spread. Try: Add: 'One line: "Spread:" with the subtraction shown.'
  • Wrong table shape. The AI adds a churn column or extra rows. Try: Say: "Columns: Case | Growth | Ending ARR | Gross profit. Three rows."
  • 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

  • Names columns and rows
  • Gives the formula
  • Uses latest assumption
  • Asks for a spread line
  • Limits output

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