Produce reliable spreadsheet formulas with explanations.
Inputs to gather
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Platform (Excel/Sheets), locale (comma vs. semicolon separators), sample data layout (headers, ranges), expected outputs, and constraints (volatile functions allowed?).
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Provide small example rows and the desired result for them.
Workflow
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Restate the problem with explicit ranges and sheet names; propose a minimal sample to verify.
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Draft formula(s); when dynamic arrays are available, prefer them over copy-down formulas.
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Explain how it works and where to place it; include named ranges if helpful.
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Edge cases: blank rows, mixed types, timezone/date quirks, duplicates; offer guardrails (e.g.,
IFERROR,LET,LAMBDA). -
Variants: if porting between Excel and Sheets, provide both versions.
Output
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Primary formula, short explanation, and a 2–3 row worked example showing inputs → outputs.
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Optional: quick troubleshooting checklist for common errors.