Write a spreadsheet formula
Turns what you want a cell to work out into a formula, with an explanation.
I use [Excel / Google Sheets]. My data is in these columns: [what’s in each column]. It runs from row 2 to row [last row]. Write a formula for [where the answer goes] that [what you want it to work out]. Then explain how it works in plain English, one part at a time, and tell me how to check it on a few rows by hand. If my request could mean more than one thing, ask me before you answer.
Tips for a better answer
- Describe the columns, not the data: you don’t need to paste any real figures or names.
- Test the formula on a few rows you can add up yourself before you trust it with the rest.
An example, filled in
I use Google Sheets. My data is in these columns: A: date of the sale, B: product name, C: amount in pounds, D: paid (Yes or No). It runs from row 2 to row 200. Write a formula for cell F2 that adds up the amounts in column C for sales marked No in column D. Then explain how it works in plain English, one part at a time, and tell me how to check it on a few rows by hand. If my request could mean more than one thing, ask me before you answer.
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More on this kind of job: AI for spreadsheets: formulas, tidy data and quick analysis, a free Learning Hub guide.
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