AI can help make a spreadsheet easier to understand, but the quality of the analysis depends on the context and instructions you provide.
Give the model a job and a goal
The TCREI framework provides a repeatable structure for prompting. In a spreadsheet workflow, that means explaining the business task, the role the AI should take, the data it can use, the result you need, and any constraints it must follow.
Work in stages
Begin with data cleanup and validation. Then ask for formulas, summaries, or patterns. Keeping these steps separate makes it easier to inspect the work and correct a mistaken assumption before it affects the final analysis.
Treat insights as a starting point
AI-generated findings should lead to better questions. Check formulas, source data, units, and outliers before using the output in a decision. The value comes from combining faster exploration with informed review.