# AI for Excel

Canonical URL: <https://training.sdfm.org/courses/ai-excel>

## Overview

In this hands-on class, you will dive into advanced functionalities such as AI-powered chart creation, interactive dashboards with Power View and Power BI, and automated workflows with Power Automate. Explore the world of text analysis and natural language processing (NLP) to simplify data extraction and sentiment analysis.

Gain hands-on experience with integrating external data and AI tools, and see how real-world applications of AI in Excel can significantly enhance financial reporting and sales data analysis. Whether you are looking to automate routine tasks, improve data accuracy, or gain deeper insights from your data, this class will allow you to unlock the full potential of AI and Excel.

## What you'll learn

- Leverage AI to manipulate, analyze, and visualize data in Excel
- Work on real-world Excel projects to practice integrating AI
- Learn tips to enhance your efficiency and improve your workflow

## Prerequisites

Attendees must have beginner Excel skills equivalent to our [Excel Fundamentals course](/courses/basic-excel-classes), including basic functions and formulas, printing, formatting, basic charts, and tables.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: AI Fundamentals for Excel Users

- Understand what AI can (and cannot) do for your Excel work
- Overview of AI tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and others
- How AI "thinks" about spreadsheets—and why that matters for getting good results
- Setting realistic expectations: AI as assistant, not replacement
- Security and data privacy considerations when using AI with sensitive data

#### Module 2: Mastering AI Prompts for Formula Generation

- The anatomy of an effective Excel prompt: context, examples, and constraints
- Generating simple to complex formulas on demand (VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, nested IFs, array formulas)
- Prompt techniques for dynamic formulas that adapt to your data
- Troubleshooting formulas with AI: explaining errors and suggesting fixes
- Hands-on practice: Building a prompt library for your most common formula needs

#### Module 3: Automating Data Cleaning with AI

- Identifying data cleaning tasks AI handles best
- Prompting AI to standardize inconsistent data (dates, names, addresses, phone numbers)
- Using AI to generate formulas for splitting and combining text
- Detecting and handling duplicates, outliers, and missing values
- Hands-on practice: Cleaning a messy real-world dataset using AI-generated solutions

#### Module 4: AI-Assisted Data Analysis and Insights

- Asking AI the right questions about your data
- Generating summary statistics and identifying trends with AI guidance
- Using AI to suggest appropriate chart types and visualization approaches
- Creating data narratives: Having AI help explain what the numbers mean
- Hands-on practice: Analyzing a dataset and generating insights with AI assistance

#### Module 5: VBA and Macro Generation with AI

- When automation makes sense: Identifying repetitive workflows to streamline
- Prompting AI to write VBA macros for common tasks (formatting, reporting, data manipulation)
- Understanding and modifying AI-generated code (even if you're not a programmer)
- Testing, debugging, and refining macros with AI support
- Hands-on practice: Creating a macro to automate a repetitive reporting task

#### Module 6: Building Your AI-Enhanced Excel Workflow

- Integrating AI into your daily Excel routine without disrupting productivity
- Creating a personal prompt library for recurring tasks
- When to use AI vs. when to do it yourself: A practical decision framework
- Keeping up with rapidly evolving AI capabilities
- Developing an action plan for continued AI skill-building

## Schedule
- Jun 23, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — Live Online
- Jul 9, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — Live Online
- Aug 13, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — Live Online
- Sep 18, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — Live Online
- Oct 15, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — Live Online
- Nov 12, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — Live Online
- Dec 15, 2026 10:00am–5:00pm — Live Online

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $649