Be specific: Always include the input (where existing data lives), the instruction (what you want done), and the output (where it should go + any formatting requirements).

Split steps: Break multi-step tasks into separate prompts. Rowan thrives on clarity, not juggling.

Use Excel-speak: Point Rowan to cells, columns and ranges. Alternatively select the relevant cells and point Rowan to your selection.

Formula bias: If you don’t want formulas, say so (e.g. “extract the numbers without formulas”). Otherwise Rowan will default to them.

Set constraints: Want no rounding, exact formatting, or specific number of decimals? Spell it out.

Use examples on complex tasks: On more complex tasks, include a small worked example in your prompt.

Refresh often: Start a new chat every few prompts — long chats make Rowan lose his sharpness.

Saved prompts: Store your best prompts in Saved Prompts in the chat box.

Poor experiences: If Rowan’s output isn’t right, use Excel’s undo and re-prompt with clearer guidance.

Don’t forget context — e.g. “check totals” without saying which totals leaves Rowan guessing.

Don’t ask him to “find” values. Instead, ask him to highlight or extract them.

Don’t bundle multiple independent tasks into one prompt (e.g. “import this PDF and also build a pivot table”).

Don’t let chats run endlessly; performance degrades.

Don’t expect him to know your workflow preferences unless you tell him.

❌ Bad: “Pull data from this PDF.”

✅ Good: “Import the revenue figures from the PDF into a new sheet called ‘Revenue_Import’, placing them in columns A–D.”

❌ Bad: “Work out average receivables.”

✅ Good: “Calculate the average receivables using column G (rows 2–250) and place the result in cell H2, rounded to 2 decimal places.”

❌ Bad: “Check if this is right.”

✅ Good: “Review the summary in column F against the source data in column B, and highlight any rows where the totals don’t match.”