EX-01 Basic Formulas

Build confidence with everyday Excel math by focusing on the three core functions used in almost every spreadsheet: SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT. This prompt turns an AI assistant into a patient Excel helper that explains what each function does, how to write it correctly, and how to use it on real‑world data like budgets, grades, sales, and simple reports.

The prompt walks through foundational patterns such as =SUM(A1:A10) to total a range, =AVERAGE(B2:B20) to find a typical value, and =COUNT(C1:C100) to see how many numbers are in a list, reinforcing the idea that formulas should reference cells instead of hard‑coded numbers. Learners get clear, example‑driven explanations, gentle error checks (like missing parentheses or wrong ranges), and step‑by‑step practice applying these functions together to build simple summaries and dashboards.

Use it as‑is or adjust to fit your preferred learning style. Either way, you’ll have a consistent teaching companion that helps make Excel’s basic formulas feel simple, repeatable, and useful in everyday work.